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I LIBRARY OF CONGRm. 



UNITED STATES OP AMERICA. 




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LETTERS 



THE LATE 

"TO* YD 



OF MANCHESTER, 
A MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL IN THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 

TO WHICH IS PREFIXED, 

A 

MEMOIR 

OF THE 

LIFE OF THE WRITER. 



Jesus saith, lam the way, and the truth, and the life. — 
John xxv. 6. 

Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost, 
that come unto God by Him. — Heh. vii. 25. 



PUBLISHED BY SAMUEL WOOD & SONS, 
no. 261, pearl-street; 
And Samuel S. Wood k Co. No. 212, Market-street, 
BALTIMORE. 

1821. 



( 



Printed by Mahlon Pay, No* 372, Pearl-Street. 



THE private estimation in ivhich the fol- 
lowing Letters have been held, has induced the 
belief that, by publication, they would be ren- 
dered more extensively useful. They were 
not written with any view to tfieir being com- 
mitted to the pr^ss ; most of them , therefore^ 
have been collected since the decease of the 
Writer, ivho very rarely kept copies of his let- 
ters ; and it may be proper to remark, that his 
ovm language has been strictly adhered to. 




Page. 

Memoir of John Thorp ix„ 
Testimony, from the Monthly Meeting of Hard- 

shaw-East, concerning John Thorp - - xliii. 
Let. I. To John Cash dated 10th Mo. 22, 1765, 1 



II. To the same - - 


5th 


u 


26, 


1766, 


5 


III. To the same - - 


4th 


cc 




1767, 


7 


IV. To the same - - 


1st 


cc 


is, 


1768, 


10 


V. To Frances Dodshon 


5th 


it 


10, 


1775 


12 


VI. To the same - - 


1 2th 


cc 


12, 


J776, 


15 


VII. To the same - - 


7th 


cc 


17, 


1777, 


23 


VIII. To the same - - 


8th 


cc 


23, 


1778, 


30 


IX. To the same - - 


6th 


cc 


17, 


1779, 


37 


X. To the same - - 


4th 


cc 


16, 


1780, 


44 


XI. To the same - - 


11th 


cc 


5> 


cc 


46 


XII. To the same - - 


9th 


cc 


24, 


1781, 


50 


XIII. To Richard Shackleton 


, 1st 


cc 


n, 


1782, 


56 


XIV. To Robert Valentine 


8th 


cc 


15, 


cc 


62 


XV. To Richard Shackleton, 


10th 


cc 


28, 


cc 


66 


XVI. To 








cc 


69 


XVII, To Richd. Shackleton, 


5th 


cc 


24, 


1784, 


76 



VI. 



Letter. 


Date. 


Page 


XVIII. To — - - 


Mo 




79 












XIX. To — - - - 


10th 


tt 


26, 


1786, 


84 


XX. To Rich. Reynolds, 


7th 


it 


8, 


1787, 


88 


XXI. To the same - - 


8th 


it 


15, 


U 


90 


XXII. To Rich. Shackleton, 


12th 


it 


25, 


a 


92 


XXIII. To — - - 


3rd 


tt 


22, 


1788, 


97 


XXIY. To Rich. Shackleton, 


10th 


it 




1789, 100 


XXV. To Elizh. Rathbone, 


7th 


it 


19, 


1790, 


104 


XXVI. To Rich. Reynolds, 


1st 


a 


15, 


1791, 


107 


XXVIL To Rich. Shackleton, 


3d 


it 


18, 


a 


112 


XXVIII. To Rich. Reynolds, 


1st 


it 


22, 


1793, 


118 


XXIX. To the same - - 


11th 


it 


15, 


1794, 


124 


XXX. To the same - - 


4th 


it 


26, 


1796, 


129 


XXXI. To the same - - 


2nd 


a 


2, 


1798, 


130 


XXXII. To the same - - 


10th 


it 


28, 


1799, 


140 


XXXIII. To the same - - 


1st 


a 


21, 


1802, 


145 


XXXIV. To - 


11th 


a 


20, 


1802. 148 


XXXV. To Rich, Reynolds, 


12th 


a 


3, 


1802, 


158 


XXXVI. To - 


12th 


u 


20, 


1802, 


160 


XXXVII. To Rich. Reynolds, 


12 th 


u 


31, 


1802, 164 


XXXVIII. To — — - - 


3d 


a 


3, 


1803, 


165 


XXXIX. To Lindley Murray, 




a 






168 


XL. To Rich. Reynolds, 


5th 


it 


10, 


1803, 170 


XLI. To the same - - 


1st 


tt 


13, 


1804, 


172 


XLII. To the same - - 


11th 


it 


3, 


1804, 


175 


XLIII. To the same - - 


12th 


it 


18, 


1804, 


178 


XLIV To the same - - 


12 th 


it 


25, 


1804, 


181 


XLV. To - 




it 







183 


"XT' T X T T PTl T» » t T"» * i 

XLVI. To Rich. Reynolds, 


10th 


it 


22 


1805,' 


191 


XLVII. To the same - - 


4th 


u 


10,' 


1806, 


193 


XL VIII. To John Bevan, - - 
XLIX. To Rich. Reynolds, 


5th 


it 


16, 


1806, 


196 


8th 


.6 


21, 


1806, 


198 


L. To Rich. Reynolds, 


2nd 


it 


19, 


1807, 


201 


LI. To the same - - 


2nd 


it 


5, 


1808, 


202 


LII, To the same - 


7th 


it 


26, 


1808, 


205 


LIIL To the same - - 


12th 


a 


1, 


1808, 


208 


LIV. To the same - - 


5th 




2, 


1809, 


210 


LV. To the same - - 


8th 


it 


15, 


1809, 


212 


. LVI, To . - - 


9th 




11, 


1809, 


213 



viL 



Lttitr Date. Fa?s. 
LVIL To Rich. Reynolds, 4th Mo. 23, 1310, 217 

LVIIX. To Elizh. Rathbone, — " — , , 218 

LIX. ToRichd. Reynolds, 8th « 1, 1811, 220 

LX. To the same - - 4th " 30, 1812, 224 

LXI. To- the same - -12th « 12, 1812,223 

LXII. To the same - - 6th « 10, 1813,230 

LXm. To the same - - 1st " 28, 1814, 233 

LXI V. To the same • - 8th " 10, 1814, 235 

LXV. To the same - - 1st « 18, 1815, 238 
LXVI. To the same - ~ 8th" 9,1815,240 

LXVII. To the same - - 2nd " 20, 1816, 242 

Reflections on the allotments of Providence in the 

varied conditions of mankind - 245 

A Prayer - - - - - ~ -251 



MEMOIR, &c. 



H AD the Writer of the following Letters 
left an account of his religious experience, 
his life and pursuits, there is much reason 
to believe, that such a memoir would have 
been very interesting and edifying. The 
hand of another can but faintly describe, the 
early and powerful visitations of Divine love 
extended to him ; the exercises, spiritual 
conflicts, and baptisms, which he had to 
pass through, during the progress of his re- 
generation ; the mercy and saving help 
vouchsafed to him, in and by our Lord 
Jesus Christ, by whom, through faith and 
obedience, he obtained the victory ; and by 
whom, also, he was qualified and enabled to 
labour that others might be brought to the 
same happy experience. Yet from an ap- 
prehension that to many who may read the 
b 



\ 



I 



Letters, and who were not acquainted with 
the writer, a memoir of his life and charac- 
ter, including a short notice of a few of his 
principal correspondents, would be accepta- 
ble, many of his friends have wished that an 
account thereof might be given ; and having 
known John Thorp upwards of thirty years, 
during which time I had frequent opportu- 
nities of enjoying his company and conver- 
sation, and for the greater part of it an open 
and unreserved friendship with him, several 
of my friends, whom I have great reason to 
esteem, have repeatedly urged me to the 
undertaking. I would gladly have had the 
work performed by one better qualified, be- 
ing sensible of my want of ability to do jus- 
tice to the subject ; yet the regard I have 
for the memory of my friend, and the desire 
which I feel to contribute (however feebly) 
to hand down to posterity some memorial 
of one deservedly dear to me, have finally 
prevailed upon me, so far as I may be ena- 
bled, to comply with the request 

It will be proper to observe, that John 
Thorp's own memorandums furnish but very 
few materials for a memoir of himself ; and 



xi. 



most of those who were acquainted with him 
in early life being deceased, not much is now 
known respecting his conduct and character 
during that period, except such circumstan- 
ces as he hath occasionally mentioned in 
conversation with his intimate friends. To 
give this account something of the form of a 
continued narrative, it may be necessary to 
introduce here a few particulars, noticed in 
the testimony of Hardshaw-east Monthly 
Meeting. 

John Thorp was born at Wilmslow, in the 
county of Chester, on the 5th of the 11th 
Month, 1742, N. S. He was the posthu- 
mous son of Jonathan Thorp, a farmer, who 
left but little property. The care of his 
maintainance and education, therefore, with 
that of several other children, devolved on 
his mother, whose maternal care and affec- 
tionate solicitude, under the trying circum- 
stances in which she was thus placed, he 
frequently mentioned with feelings of filial 
gratitude. His parents were members of 
the Church of England, in profession with 
which he was educated. He was, from very 
early life,, sensible of the workings of evil in his 



xii. 



own heart, and also of the manifestation of 
the Divine principle of light and grace, 
which showed him the evil. Possessing 
considerable energy of mind, and but little 
disposed to submit patiently to those disap- 
pointments and trials, to which, through life, 
mankind are universally subject, with some 
variety, but with no exception; and self- 
will rising unrestrained to obtain its purpose, 
he frequently experienced mortification and 
sorrow. In this frame of mind, he was led., 
at times, deeply to ponder, whether or not 
this was the irrevocable lot of man, and 
whether there was not a possibility of de- 
liverance from such a state. Here that ado- 
rable Mercy, which found our first father, 
after his transgression, wandering in naked- 
ness and want, and in boundless compassion 
brought to him that promise of redeeming 
Love, u the seed of the woman shall bruise 
the serpent's head," visited, in a remarka- 
ble manner, the subject of this memoir; in- 
troducing him into a state of mental retire- 
ment, and powerfully impressing his mind 
with that blessed invitation and promise of 
the dear Redeemer, " Come unto me, all 



xiii. 

ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I 
will give you rest. Take my yoke upon 
you, and learn of me : for I am meek and 
lowly in heart ; and ye shall find rest unto 
your souls." He was made sensible that 
this world is not the place of rest for man, 
but that it is intended for a probationary pas- 
sage to, or preparation for, a state of unin- 
terrupted happiness hereafter ; and that this 
preparation can only be effected by the tak- 
ing up of the cross to all the corrupt desires 
and passions of fallen nature. 

During these exercises, he believed it to 
be required of him to decline the practice of 
singing, in which he had taken great plea- 
sure, and had been a noted singer in that 
called the parish church of his native place ; 
but he continued some time longer to attend 
that place of worship. Being now convinc- 
ed that, as God is a spirit, and that they who 
worship Him, must worship Him in spirit and 
in truth, the forms and ceremonies practised 
there did not furnish that edification and 
comfort which his soul longed for ; yet his 
regard for, and sense of duty to his tenderly 
affectionate mother, made the thoughts of 
b* 



xiv. 



separating from her, in the solemn and im- 
portant duty of public worship, very trying 
to him ; though at times, when present with 
her, he was so much distressed, and felt such 
strong convictions that he was not in his pro- 
per place, that, to use his own words, his 
knees have been ready to smite together. 

In reference to this season of his early* 
and Divine visitation, in a conversation with 
a religious person, not a member of the So- 
ciety of Friends, a few years before his de- 
cease, he feelingly remarked, that he had 
never since, for a moment, had to doubt the 
certainty or the source of those convictions 
which were thus, at a very early age, so re- 
markably and so indelibly stamped on his 
mind ; that shortly afterwards, he attended 
a meeting of the people called Quakers, at 
Morley, a village about two miles distant 
from his native place, where he found, pub- 
licly professed and advocated, as the prin- 
ciples of a religious community, doctrines 

* The time of this remarkable visitation is not clearly known, 
but from several circumstances, which be has occasionally men- 
tioned, it is probable that it was about his fourteenth or fifteenth 
year. 



consonant with the convictions which had 
operated so powerfully on his mind, adding, 
that if he were only preserved in the way of 
his duty to the end, which then could be at 
no great distance, he should have cause to 
rejoice, and be thankful through eternity, 
that his lot had been cast amongst them. 

It appears, by the records of Morley Month- 
ly Meeting, that in the year 1 762, in the 
twentieth year of his age, he applied for, 
and was received into membership by that 
Meeting. For some years after his admission 
into the Society of Friends, he had to pass 
through many and deep baptisms, in being 
made willing to bear the cross patiently, 
and to become an humble follower of a cru- 
cified Redeemer; to renounce the world, 
with all its friendships and interests, the flesh 
and the devil, and daily to make war in 
righteousness against the enemies of his 
soul's salvation — the pride and selfishness of 
his own heart. 

He was often made sensible of the de- 
pravity of man, how prone he is to feed 
upon vanity and pride, and that even in his 
best pursuits ; and to seek his treasure and 



xvi. 

comforts from earthly things, instead of be- 
ing willing to become as a stranger and a 
pilgrim on the earth ; but, by continuing in 
faithful obedience to the manifestations of 
that Divine light, by which he had been early 
visited, he was often renewedly strengthened 
to offer up himself an unreserved sacrifice 
to the Divine disposal, and to petition the 
Father of all his mercies that he would sanc- 
tify the offering to Himself. In the seasons of 
his deepest temptations, he was made to be- 
lieve that he was not wholly forsaken of his 
God; that He, who had condescended to 
visit him when he was as one lost and blind, 
would not leave him, (if he continued faith- 
ful,) when he had become enamoured of His 
ways. After many proving seasons, he was 
brought to know an anchoring upon the ev- 
erlasting Rock, Christ Jesus ; and it became 
more and more his delight to do^the law of 
the Lord his God, and to live continually 
as in His holy presence. Thus he came to 
know the accuser to be cast down, and to 
experience the glorious liberty of the sons of 
God. 

In 1763, he removed to London, as ap- 



XVII. 



pears by a short letter, dated the 20th of the 
9th Month in that year, addressed to an in- 
timate friend. 

From the circumstances in which his mo- 
ther was left by the death of his father, it 
may reasonably be concluded that his edu- 
cation was comparatively limited ; but, how- 
ever this might be, his removal to London 
greatly facilitated his access to books and 
the means of information ; and possessing a 
comprehensive understanding, he very much 
improved himself, during his residence there, 
in the knowledge of various branches of use- 
ful learning. The following account of his 
conduct when in London, being well au- 
thenticated, may be worthy of record. A 
relation, who accompanied him from the 
country, and with whom he had joint lodg- 
ings, and his oldest brother, an officer in the 
army, a man of talents and general knowl- 
edge, formed, for some time, nearly the ex« 
tent of his acquaintance. With these com- 
panions, who were his superiors in informa- 
tion and learning:, and for whom he felt the 
attachment arising from relationship, he at 
times delighted to converse ; but, through 



xvm. 



Divine help, he inflexibly resisted all their 
persuasions and entreaties to deviate, in any 
one instance, from that steady and uniform 
religious practice of life and manners, which 
he had believed it to be his duty to adopt. 
He occasionally accompanied them in an 
evening's walk ; but if they gave way to any 
levity of conduct, or turned aside into any 
tavern or place of diversion, he immediately 
left them, and returned to his lodgings. 

He continued to reside in London about 
four years, living much retired ; yet he was 
known to some valuable Friends, by whom he 
was esteemed. In the latter part of the year 
1767, he removed to Manchester, where he 
continued to reside to the end of his days. 

On the 4th of 9th Month, 1769, he mar- 
ried Martha, daughter of John Goodier, of 
Morley Meeting, by whom he had two sons — 
Samuel, who died in infancy, and John 
who is now living. She was removed from 
him by death, after the short union of four 
years, which event he has been heard to 
mention as a peculiarly exercising affliction. 

For several years after he had settled at 
Manchester, there does not appear to be much 



xix. 

further to remark upon, except that he conti- 
nued under a deep religious exercise and con- 
cern, that nothing might be permitted to ob- 
struct or retard his progress in that way which 
leadeth to the heavenly kingdom ; pressing 
" toward the mark, for the prize of the high 
calling of God in Christ Jesus.' 5 Under the 
influence of these impressions, he believed it 
right for him to keep his temporal concerns 
in a small compass, steadily declining offers 
that were made to induce him to embark 
more extensively in business ; desiring nei- 
ther lot nor inheritance in the land ; asking 
only a passage through this world in peace, 
with c< food to eat, and raiment to put on." 
During this period, he was favoured witji the 
kind regard of some valuable Friends, among 
whom he has particularly mentioned that ex 
celient minister of the gospel Sarah Taylor, 
She was concerned to sympathize with him 
in his spiritual exercises, and to encourage 
him to continue in faith and patience ; she 
being persuaded that he was under the pre- 
paring Hand for service in the church. 

Having fulfilled the " weeks of prepara- 
tion," and " eaten the roll of prophecy," he 



was. by the great Master, called to the work of 
the ministry. The exact time when he first 
appeared in this service, is not now known, 
but it was about the year 1773. His first com- 
munication in the ministry was a revival of 
that prophetic declaration of Isaiah, " Stran- 
gers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the 
sons of the aliens shall be your ploughmen 
and your vine-dressers." His early testimo- 
nies, as a minister, were mostly short ; but 
being delivered in the renewed openings and 
authority of the Word of Life, they were to 
edification, and gave satisfactory evidence 
that he was rightly qualified for that impor- 
tant service. In 1775, he took his seat in 
the Meeting of Ministers and Elders, as an 
approved minister. Being careful to occupy 
with the talents which he had received, he 
was favoured to experience an increase of 
his gift, and to be made an able minister of 
the New Testament, " not of the letter but 
of the spirit." 

In the 7th Month, 1775, he married, to his 
second wife, Martha, the daughter of Tho- 
mas Cash, of Morley, and sister to Thomas 
Cash of the same place, of whom there is an 



account in the tenth volume of a Piety Pro- 
moted." By this wife he had seven chil- 
dren, four of whom died in their infancy, 
and three of them survived him. 

Between 1775 and 1781, under the influ« 
ence of a great degree of sympathy, and in 
the love of the gospel, he addressed several 
letters to Frances Dodshon, who was at that 
time under deep spiritual trial and depres- 
sion. Most, if not all} of these letters, will 
be found in this publication ; and as the lan 
guage of encouragement in them is pecu- 
liarly strong, it is thought that the following 
short notice of the friend to whom they were 
written, will not be unacceptable to the 
reader. 

Frances Dodshon was decended from a 
respectable family near Leek, and was bom 
in 1714. Her parents were possessed of a 
considerable estate, and were in profession 
w ith the church of England. She possessed 
a good understanding, and had been edu- 
cated in all those accomplishments which 
were deemed necessary to her rank in socie- 
ty. About the twentieth year of her age, 
she was so fully and availingly convinced 
c 



of the principles of truth, as professed by 
Friends, that in the most trying seasons of 
her life, as she was often heard to say, the 
foundation of those principles could never 
be shaken. Soon after being united in 
membership with the Society of Friends, she 
was called to the work of the ministry, for 
which she was well qualified by her Lord 
and Master. Whilst health and ability were 
afforded, she laboured much in the exercise 
of her gift, travelling into most parts of Eng- 
land, Scotland, and Wales. Her openings 
were clear in the doctrine and authority of 
the gospel, and communicated with lively 
zeal. She was frequently led to speak to 
the states of individuals; and there is no 
doubt but her labours were blessed to the 
spiritual help and edification of many. In 
the course of her warfare, through this vale 
of tears, she had, both spiritually and tem- 
porally, to combat with many afflictions : 
yet in all, and through all, she was hiddenly 
supported by Him in whom she had most 
surely believed. Her deepest trials were 
occasioned by the apprehension that she was 
forsaken by the Beloved of her soul ; yet 



xxiii. 



was the language of a deeply tried servant 
expressive of the exercise of her spirit : " My 
righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it 
go." The following extract from one of her 
letters to John Thorp, will show the tried 
state of her mind : 

Dear and truly sympathizing Friend, 

I seem to myself guilty of ingratitude in being so 
long silent, after receiving so valuable and encouraging 
an epistle from thee, which I often read with close atten- 
tion, and with humble and fervent desire to be helped to 
lay hold of some degree of that living faith and hope, 
thou so fully and feelingly expressest thyself to be favour- 
ed with on my behalf, and which I endeavour to encour- 
age my drooping spirit in concluding would not be the 
case with thee, or my dear friend Sarah Taylor, or any 
of the living in Israel, if I were really (as I am painfully 
tempted to fear) totally cast off or forsaken by the Father 
of Mercies. Yet although I consider things in the most 
favourable light my afflicted state will admit, and esteem 
it, as I justly ought to do, a favour which I cannot be too 
thankful for, to be thus under the notice, tender regard, 
and deep travel in spirit of many faithful souls, it is be- 
yond expression what I yet suffer, for want of the evi- 
dence, or revival of living faith and hope in my own 
mind, that the Lord will again return, and show mercy 
to my disconsolate, imprisoned soul, which goes mourning 
all the day long, and cannot be comforted, because the 



xxiv. 



blessed Comforter, He who alone can deliver my soui. 
seems yet afar off ; and the cruel accuser almost continu- 
ally at hand, to bear down and frustrate my utmost en- 
deavours to draw near to the Fountain of help and 
strength, to be enabled to lay hold of hope and faith to 
resist the fiery darts of the wicked one. Oh ! my dear 
friend, could I but hope that I am of the number thou 
mentionest of the Lord's chosen ones, whose names are 
written in the Book of Life, I should esteem no baptism 
too deep, nor any suffering too long, or too great to en- 
dure. But herein lies my great discouragement, that I 
seem, in my own painful apprehension, to suffer as an 
evil-doer, or one who, through inattention and want of 
due circumspection, has offended an all-gracious Being, 
and caused Him to withdraw His blessed presence, light, 
life, and holy Spirit ; and oh ! what in this stripped, deso- 
late state has the poor soul to cleave to, or flee to for re- 
fuge and support, as the experienced Psalmist says, w If 
the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do ?' J 
They have not another to go unto, nor can expect pre- 
servation, comfort, or help, but from Him whom they 
experimentally know hath the word of eternal life, and 
also the key of David, and alone can open their shut-up 
state, and by His powerful voice say, even to the spiri- 
tually dead, " Come forth ; " then, and not till then, can 
we feel our spirits quickened by Him, who is of a truth 
the resurrection and the life of every truly living soul, 
that lives to and in Him. 



Frances Dodshon lived to advanced age. 



XXV. 



and during the latter years of her life, she 
was, at seasons, by the power of Divine love 
and light, raised above the deep depression 
before described ; and when of ability to 
attend meetings, was at times enabled to 
preach the gospel with life and power. 

There is abundant cause to believe that, 
in the earlier as well as the latter stages of 
religious experience, our heavenly Father, 
in His wisdom and mercy, is often pleased 
to suffer His most approved servants to be 
deeply tried with an abasing sense of their 
helplessness and un worthiness : to withdraw 
the light of His countenance, and to leave 
them sorrowful and forlorn, and all with the 
gracious design of furthering the work of 
their sanctification. In these seasons of 
tribulation, they may be strongly tempted to 
listen to the accusations of the enemy, and 
to distrust the Lord's faithfulness and love ; 
but whether these trials originate in natural 
or spiritual causes, John Thorp's letters to 
Frances Dodshon will, there is no doubt, 
long continue to cheer and animate many a 
doubting and fearful pilgrim. 



c* 



xxvi. 



John Thorp did not believe himself to be 
called to travel so much in the work of the 
ministry as many others of his fellow-labour- 
ers have done, yet he was frequently con- 
cerned, under the influence of gospel love, 
to visit his Friends in the neighbouring meet- 
ings, both in Lancashire and Cheshire, and 
he took some longer journeys on the same 
account. In the year 1784, accompanied 
by his friend Martha Routh, of Manchester, 
he paid a religious visit to the families of 
Friends of Penketh Meeting, and immedi- 
ately after to the families of Friends in War- 
rington: Rebecca Wright, from America, 
joining them in the visit, and Sarah Rey- 
nolds, of Penketh, to part of the families. 
From Warrington he proceeded to visit the 
families of Langtree and Ashton Meetings, 
Martha Routh and Sarah Reynolds continu- 
ing with him. In the discharge of this ser- 
vice, it appears, from information received, 
that he was much favoured. 

In 1787, in company with his ancient and 
beloved friend Sarah Taylor, he visited the 
families of Friends belonging to Liverpool 
Meeting. In 1789, he united with Deborah 



xxvii. 



Darby and Rebecca Young in a similar visit 
to the families of Friends of Manchester 
Meeting. 

In the 8th Month of 1792, died his highly 
valued friend Richard Shackleton, of Bal- 
litore, in Ireland, in the sixty-fourth year of 
his age, between whom, and the subject of 
this memoir, a near friendship and valuable 
correspondence had subsisted for several 
years, and to whom several letters in this 
volume are addressed. 

RrcHARD Shackleton was a man who 
possessed strong natural powers of under- 
standing, improved by a liberal education, 
and these being sanctified and brought into 
subjection to the cross of Christ, he became 
qualified for distinguished usefulness in the 
church. He filled, for many years, the sta- 
tion of an Elder with great propriety, being 
eminently furnished, by his Divine Master, 
with wisdom and ability to communicate 
encouragement and counsel to such as stood 
in need. The sense which John Thorp had 
of the church's and his own loss, from the 
decease of his friend, appears by a letter 
which he addressed soon after that event to 



xxvm. 



Eliza Shackleton, and which, coming to the 
publisher's hands too late to be inserted in 
its proper place, may not unsuitably be in- 
troduced here : 

8th Month, 1792. 

In justice to thee and myself, I ought sooner to 
have acknowledged my gratitude for thy condescension, 
in writing to me the particulars of my dear friend thy 
father's decease. Looking at the church militant, his 
death is a loss to all but himself. I sympathize with you, 
I feel for the church, and regret my particular share in 
the general loss ; his company was to me exceedingly 
pleasant and lovely. I felt, almost at all times when with 
him, a more than common union with him ; but as a man 
and Christian, I loved him dearly. 

I rejoice in that I was much favoured with his compa- 
ny. At our last Yearly Meeting, he condescended to go 
with me, or take me with him often, in the evenings. I 
prized the opportunities, and treasure up his remarks as 
the fruit of experience and mature judgment. I am 
thankful for the share he allowed me in his friendship ; 
for the instructive opportunities I have had of his conver- 
sation, and for the valuable letters I have received from 
him, by all which I desire to improve. 

Give my dear love to thy mother ; it is likely her sepa- 
ration from him will be but of short duration. I have 
no doubt she will soon be with him in the kingdom of 
Divine joy. With regard to the deceased, doubtless, our 



XXIX, 



loss is his gain. I feel something like congratulation with 
him, as having arrived safe at the desired port, and enter- 
ed into the fruition of the glorious reward of good labours. 
May a double portion of that Spirit which made him 
bright and useful, rest on all his children, that they may 
not only walk worthy of such a father, but of that high 
and holy vocation wherewith we are called, by our hea- 
venly Father, to glory and virtue. To the guidance and 
protection of Israel's Shepherd, I recommend thee, and 
all thy father's house, desiring He may have you always 
in his keeping, 

I am, with the salutation of love to thyself, thy family, 
and sisters, thy affectionate friend, 

JOHN THORP. 

-=s>Ulll#lllU«- 



In the 8th Month of 1793, John Thorp at- 
tended the funeral of his friend Frances Dod~ 
shon, who died at Macclesfield, and was 
there interred. About the 11th Month of 
this year, he visited the families of Friends 
in Manchester Meeting, having Martha 
Routh, before-mentioned, and also his friend 
Mary Robinson, a minister of the same 
meeting, as companions in the service. 

About the close of the year 1797, in com- 



XXX. 



pany with Martha Routh, he again visited 
the families belonging to his own meeting; 
and soon after, they performed a similar 
visit to the families of Morley Monthly 
Meeting. 

In the 8th Month, 1802, he left home for 
London. Whilst there, he sat with Friends 
in all the meetings in the metropolis, and 
was at several of those in the neighbour- 
hood. He returned home by Coventry, 
Warwick and Birmingham. This journey 
he mentions in a letter to Richard Reynolds, 
dated 12th Month 3d. 

In the summer of 1806, he wholly declin- 
ed business, having, through the good pro- 
vidence of God, a sufficiency for his future 
support. In the 8th Month of this year, he 
lost, in the sixty-first year of her age, his 
faithful and affectionate companion, to whom 
he had been united thirty-one years ; she 
had been in a declining state of health for 
some months. This loss he very sensibly 
felt, and has feelingly described in a letter 
to Richard Reynolds, dated 8th Month 21, 
1806. 

In the year 1808, after attending the Year- 



xxxL 



ly Meeting, he visited all the meetings in 
the metropolis, and several of those in the 
vicinity. He left London the 17th of 6th 
Month, arrived at Bristol the following day, 
and continued there until the 1st of 7th 
Month, attending meetings as they came in 
course. From Bristol he went to Worces-" 
ter, where he was at the meetings on First 
day; and on the Third day following he 
went to Coalbrookdale ; after attending se- 
veral meetings at this place, he returned 
home, taking, in his way, the Monthly Meet- 
ing at Shrewsbury. In many of the meet- 
ings, on this journey, he w 7 as silent ; but in 
others he was enabled, by his Lord and Mas- 
ter, to preach the gospel in the demonstra- 
tion of the spirit, and with power, greatly to 
the comfort and rejoicing of many. 

In the year 181 2, he found his mind drawn^ 
in gospel love, to unite with Priscilla Han- 
nah Gurney and Susanna Naish, in a reli- 
gious visit to the families of his own meet- 
ing. They had one hundred and nineteen 
sittings, and accomplished the work in twen- 
nine days. At the conclusion of this visit, 
he accompanied the same friends in a simi- 



xxxii. 



lar one to the Friends of Morley Monthly 
Meeting. The last service, of this kind, in 
which he was engaged, was with John Bot- 
tomly and Elizabeth Bludwick, in the year 
1813, when he accompanied them to most 
of the families of his own meeting. He 
was then in his seventy-first year. Whilst 
ability of body w~as afforded, he continued 
in the practice of visiting the neighbouring 
meetings, as he felt himself drawn thereto 
by his Divine Master. 

He w 7 as frequently invited to attend mar- 
riages and burials at a distance. At such 
times, he was careful to seek for Divine 
counsel, that he might be preserved from 
complying with, or declining such invita- 
tions in his own will. He has sometimes 
mentioned, to his intimate friends, his regret 
at what appeared to him an over earnestness, 
manifested by some, for the company of 
ministers on such occasions. 

His powers of expression w r ere strong and 
persuasive, and these being made subservi- 
ent to his great Master's cause, he became,, 
through the power of Divine love, eminently 
qualified affectionately to entreat others to 



xxxiih 



come to that Fountain of Mercy and saving 
help, by which he had been often refreshed 
and strengthened. 

To those who, in their Christian pilgrim- 
age, had to go mourning on their way, whose 
hands were often ready to hang down, he 
was many times a " son of consolation, 55 en- 
couraging them, in an animating manner, 
to keep hold of faith and patience, and still 
to hope that He, who had been their morning 
light, would be their evening song. But the 
subject that formed the most prominent and 
frequent exercise in his gospel labours, was 
closely to recommend to all, an earnest, se- 
rious, and impartial examination into the 
state of their own hearts, to see how their ac- 
counts stood with God ; and to set forth, how 
great and irreparable would be the loss to 
those who unwisely neglect the opportuni- 
ty afforded, of embracing the all-sufficient 
means appointed of God for their redemp- 
tion. 

He was often concerned, in his public 
communications, to turn the attention of his 
hearers from himself to the subject ; and to 
direct them to look to God, instead of the 
d 



xxxiv. 



instruments, for instruction and help, for 
want of which he believed that many suffer 
much loss. 

He was very exemplary in his movements 
in the ministry, and frequently, especially 
when at home, sat meetings in silence. He 
spent much time in retirement, a practice 
which he recommended to all religiously dis- 
posed persons. It was his practice, during 
a great part of his life, to take a walk, mostly 
alone, in the fore part of the day, generally 
into the fields. These walks, taken with 
much regularity, there is reason to believe, 
often proved seasons of religious exercise 
and devotion ; and some, who have casually 
met with him, have been struck with th§ 
solemnity of his countenance. 

His reading had been extensive and var|* 
ous, and was to him a source of much satis- 
faction. In the former part of his life more 
especially, he read, with close attention, the 
writings of early Friends, and carefully in- 
formed himself of the creeds of the various 
religious professors ; but the writings which 
he read most frequently, (next to the Holy 
Scriptures, which he greatly preferred to all 



XXXV. 



other Books,) were those, by whomsoever 
written, which treated of religion, as being 
an individual, experimental work, consisting 
in obedience, and not in speculative know- 
ledge or in mere profession. Yet, notwith- 
standing the satisfaction that reading afford- 
ed him, he was fully sensible, and often re- 
marked, how little all the knowledge that 
can be obtained, even from the best o£ 
books, will avail those who neglect a reve- 
rent attention to the Divine law written in 
their own hearts. During the closing years 
of his life, he confined himself very much to 
the New Testament, and to a work well 
known amongst the Society of Friends, en- 
titled " Piety Promoted." 

He mixed but little with general society, 
and to strangers there was probably in his 
appearance, something like reserve ; yet he 
had much pleasure in the company of his 
friends. In conversation, he united inno- 
cent cheerfulness with Christian gravity. 
Possessing a retentive memory, and a mind 
well stored with useful information ; and 
having a peculiarly strong, clear, and apt 
mode of expressing his sentiments, his 



xxxvi. 



company was very interesting. He had a 
particular enjoyment in the society of such 
as he believed to be his fellow-pilgrims 
in seeking a better country. With many 
of these, (and his view was very far from 
confining the number of them to the reli- 
gious Society of which he was a member) he 
maintained an intercourse, of which there 
are living witnesses who can testify, that it 
was to them a source of blessing. 

He frequently visited, as in a casual way, 
many of the Friends of his own meeting, and 
of other meetings in the neighbourhood. To 
these visits, he appears to have been often 
drawn by the influence of Divine love, as, in 
many of them, he was enabled, pertinently 
and impressively, to communicate much in- 
structive counsel. 

He was favoured with an excellent con- 
stitution of body, and with uninterrupted 
health, which continued, with but little al- 
teration, until the autumn of 1815, when he 
was visited with a slight attack, apparently 
of the paralytic kind, which, in some degree, 
impaired his powers of body and mind ; yet 
his understanding remained clear to the last. 



xxxviio 



sind he continued to attend his own meeting 
as usual. He was able to walk about, and 
visit his friends, and his mind appeared to 
dwell in Divine love. 

The last time he appeared in the minis- 
try was in 1816, at a funeral which was at- 
tended by a considerable concourse of peo- 
ple. On this occasion he was, in a very 
feeling manner, enabled to call the atten- 
tion of those present to the uncertainty of 
life, and the necessity of being prepared for 
death. At the grave side, he addressed the 
widow, who was left with a numerous young 
family, in the language of the prophet: 
u Leave thy fatherless children, I will pre- 
serve them alive, and let thy widows trust in 
me." 

In the 9th Month, 1816, his beloved friend 
Richard Reynolds, of Bristol, departed this 
life, in the eighty-first year of his age. Of 
this distinguished philanthropist, the charac- 
ter is generally known ; but as all may pos- 
sibly not be acquainted with it, a short ac- 
count of him may serve to elucidate some 
passages of those letters, in the following col- 
lection, which were addressed to him. 
d* 



xxxviii. 



Richard Reynolds was, for many years, 
extensively engaged in the Iron trade, by 
which he very considerably increased his 
wealth. Under the influence of religious 
principle, he was sensible of his responsibi- 
lity to Him, to whom belongeth " the earth, 
and the fulness thereof;" and his heart be- 
ing enlarged in love to God, and good- will to 
men, it is believed that, after taking from his 
large income sufficient only for his own mo- 
derate establishment, he devoted the whole 
of the remainder to charitable purposes. His 
beneficence was guided by great wisdom, 
which rendered the benefit still more exten- 
sive. His benevolence raised the admiration 
of all who knew him ; yet he was far from be- 
ing elated by this circumstance, or by the 
possession of wealth ; and in the distribu- 
tion of his bounty, he frequently concealed 
the hand which sent the relief. He was a 
truly humble-minded Christian, and was 
often tried with a deep sense of spiritual po- 
verty. He had also a very low view of 
the stewardship committed to him, which 
he, on one occasion, described to a friend 
in the following terms ; " My talent is the 



xxxix, 



meanest of all talents, a little sordid dust : 
but the man in the parable who had but one 
talent, was accountable, and for the talent 
that I possess, humble as it is, I also am ac- 
countable to the great Lord of all. 55 This 
good steward was favoured to experience an 
increasing and well-grounded confidence in 
the mercy of God, through the ever-blesse'd 
Redeemer, which he thus expressed in a let- 
ter, written only a few days before his de- 
cease : " I have done with this world, and 
all my happiness in it is from the hope that 
I shall soon have it where there is neither 
sin nor sorrow ; and that hope rests entirely 
on the mercy of God, and the merits and 
mediation of Jesus Christ." 

The end of this man was peace. 

John Thorp survived the death of his 
friend Richard Reynolds about twelve 
months, during which period he frequently 
mentioned the prospect of his own dissolu- 
tion. About a week before his decease, he 
was seized with a severe spasmodic a floe 



xi 



tion. At this time, he manifested great 
composure of mind, saying that, whichever 
way it might terminate, all w r ould be well. 

The evening preceding his decease, he 
related to his family the following circum- 
stance, which occurred in his youth, and 
which it is not known that he had ever before 
communicated ; indeed, he very rarely, even 
in his own family, or with his most intimate 
friends, made himself the subject of con- 
versation : " When a boy, about fourteen 
u years of age, my attachment to music and 
" singing was such, that when walking alone 
" in the lanes and fields on an evening, I 
" frequently gratified myself by singing a- 
" loud ; and indulged therein, even after 
u my mind became uneasy with the prac- 
" tice, until, in one of my solitary evening 
u walks, and when in the act of singing, I 
" heard, as it were, a voice distinctly say, 
" ' If thou wilt discontinue that gratification, 
" 6 thou shalt be made partaker of a much 
u ' more perfect harmony. 5 " Such was the 
powerful and convincing effect of this sol- 
emn and awful communication, that, he ad- 
ded, he never afterwards indulged in the 



xli. 

practice. In relating this short and, to those 
about him, interesting anecdote of his early 
youth, he was, towards the latter part of it, 
considerably affected, and could not sup- 
press his tears, which appeared as the tears 
of gratitude to God, at this remembrance of 
his very early merciful visitation. 

After a short suspense of conversation, he 
related the circumstance of Luke Cock hav- 
ing been a great singer, prior to joining the 
Society of Friends ; and that John Richard- 
son said @f him, " he was the greatest sing- 
* er in that part of the country where he re- 
" sided, and that he sung then the songs of 
" Babylon, by the muddy waters thereof ; 
" but having drunk deep of the brooks of 
u Shiloh, which run softly into the newly 
u converted soul, he could sing and rejoice 
" in the Lord Jesus Christ." Whilst com- 
municating this anecdote, he continued 
much affected, and in tears, and his man- 
ner of relating it was most impressive and 
solemn. 

He conversed cheerfully with his family 
during the remainder of the evening. The 
following day, being the 30th of the 9th 



xlii. 



Month, 1817, about five o'clock in the af- 
ternoon, whilst sitting in his chair, he 
closed his eyes and quietly departed. 

JOHN BRADSHAW. 

MANCHESTER, 

Wh Month 31, 1320. 



A TESTIMONY, 

From the Monthly Meeting of Hardshaiv-Eastj 
concerning John Thorp deceased. 

Our beloved friend John Thorp was born 
at Wilmslow, in the county of Chester, the 
5th of the 11th Month, 1742, according to 
the N. S. His parents were in profession 
with the church of England. His father dy- 
ing before he was born, the care of his edu- 
cation, with that of several other children, 
devolved on his mother, who, we have rea- 
son to believe, was a sober, well-minded 
woman, for whom he retained an affection- 
ate and honourable esteem. 

We have but little information respecting 
his conduct when a boy, except that, at a 
very early age, he became a singer in that 
called the parish church at his native place, 
an exercise which he was then strongly in- 
clined to; but being soon after favoured with 
a visitation of "the day-spring from on high," 
he believed it to be required of him to re- 
linquish this practice, in which he had taken 
great delight ; and during a season of dis- 



tress and mental retirement from the world, 
it pleased the Father of mercies, by the se- 
cret operation of his Divine Power, to open 
to his mind the nature and spirituality of the 
gospel dispensation; and to convince him 
that the saving knowledge of God is only to 
be attained by the immediate revelation and 
inspiration of the Holy Spirit, 

Some time after, he began to attend the 
meeting of Friends at Morley, about two 
miles distant from the place of his birth. 
This he did in a way to be as little observed 
as possible. There he found, publicly pro- 
fessed and advocated, the important doc- 
trines which had been so clearly, and, as he 
has since declared, so immoveably impress- 
ed on his mind. 

Continuing to attend the meetings of 
Friends, and feeling unity with them, he 
was, in the twentieth year of his age, admit- 
ted into membership. The following year he 
removed to London, w r here he continued to 
reside about four years, and, in the year 1 767, 
he removed to Manchester, settled there, and 
not long after entered into the married state. 

For some years after his admission into 



our Society 5 he had to pass through much 
deep exercise and spiritual conflict finding in 
himself, that he was opposed to that state of 
humble resignation which had been, by the 
Divine light, so clearly opened to his view, 
as necessary to be attained ; but, through 
the powerful and effectual operation of the 
grace of God, he was enabled to take up his 
cross, to follow Christ in the regeneration, 
and to experience a preparation for that work 
and service in the church whereunto he was 
appointed. 

About the thirty-second year of his age, 
he appeared in the work of the ministry, 
He was naturally a man of strong mind, 
and a comprehensive understanding; and 
being faithful to the gift received, he be- 
came an able and powerful minister of the 
gospel, reverently careful to wait for the re- 
newed openings of the Word of Life ; so 
that we believe it may be truly said of him, 
that, when he ministered, he did it of the 
ability which God giveth, approving him- 
self a workman that needeth not to be 
ashamed ; rightly dividing the word of truth ; 
faithfully warning the careless and worldly- 



xlvi. 



minded of their danger ; encouraging the 
sincere and upright-hearted ; and, to the 
mourners in Zion, he was indeed a " son of 
consolation;" and, through the Divine bless- 
ing, his labours" were made instrumental to 
the spiritual advantage of many. 

His labours in the work of the ministry were 
mostly confined within the compass of his 
own Quarterly Meeting and his native coun- 
ty ; except that he several times attended 
the Yearly Meeting in London, and twice 
visited the meetings of Friends in the me- 
tropolis and its neighbourhood, the latter 
time, returning by way of Bristol. He 
several times visited the families of Friends 
in his own meeting, a service for which he 
was well qualified. 

He was frequently concerned to testify, 
that the way to the kingdom of heaven, is 
the way of humility, of self-denial, and the 
cross ; the way which the Captain of our 
salvation hath trodden before us and sanc- 
tified. In this respect our beloved friend 
was an eminent example ; being early and 
deeply convinced of the danger of seeking 
for the treasures and possessions of this 



xlvii. 



world, he was content to remain in a com- 
paratively low station. That he might not be i 
unnecessarily encumbered with the cares of 
this life, and that he might be more at liber- 
ty for the service of his Divine Master, he 
steadily declined, at a time when he had an 
increasing family, the earnest and repeated 
solicitations of some of his near relations to 
enter into more extensive business ; yet he 
was favoured to experience the gracious 
promise of our blessed Lord fulfilled, that 
to those who seek first the kingdom of God 
and His righteousness, all things necessary 
shall be added. 

He was greatly and generally beloved ; 
and among his more intimate friends, his 
natural cheerfulness, tempered with Chris- 
tian gravity, his deep experience and sound 
judgment in Divine things, rendered his 
conversation peculiarly interesting, instruc- 
tive, and edifying. 

In the autumn of 1815, he was visited with 
a slight attack of the paralytic kind, by which 
his powers of body and mind were in some 
degree impaired ; yet he w T as diligent in at- 
tending his own meeting, and was much 



xlviiL 



pleased with the company of his friends, to 
whom his conversation continued to be in- 
teresting and edifying, clearly evincing his 
concern for the welfare of the church, and 
that his mind was centered in Divine Love. 

About a week before his decease, he was 
seized with a severe spasmodic affection. 
At this time he manifested great composure 
of mind, saying that, whichever way it 
might terminate, all would be well. Con- 
tinuing in a state of patient resignation, as 
one having done his day's work, and wait- 
ing for his Master's call, being supported by 
that faith and confidence in the mercy of 
God through our Lord Jesus Christ, which he 
so feelingly described sometime before in a 
letter to a friend, in which he expressed 
himself as follows: " At seasons, I feel a 
I degree of consolation and Divine peace 
| that cannot be expressed in words, which 
" I would not exchange for a thousand times 
" the treasures of both the Indies ; in com- 
a , parison of which I should esteem, I do es- 
" teem, crowns and sceptres as dung and 
u dross. And at the much more frequent 
" seasons, when heavenly good is least sen- 



xlix. 

" sibly felt, (I hope I write it with humble, 
" heart-felt gratitude,) my faith, and hope, 
a and confidence, are so firmly anchored on 
" the everlasting Rock, Christ Jesus, that 
iC when the rains descend, and the winds and 
" the storms beat, I am not greatly moved, 
" I know Him in whom I have believed, and 
u that He will in mercy keep all those who 
" have committed themselves to him." \ 

The evening preceding his dissolution, he 
conversed cheerfully with his family, and 
mentioned that he thought it a great favour 
to be removed without much bodily suffer- 
ing. The following day, being the 50th of 
the 9th Month, 1817, about five o'clock in 
the afternoon, whilst sitting in his chair, he 
closed his eyes, and gently stretching him- 
self, quietly departed ; and has, we have no 
doubt, joined that innumerable multitude 
which John beheld, who came out of great 
tribulation, and have washed their robes and 
made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 
His remains were interred the 6th of the 1 0th 
Month following, in Friend's burial-ground 
at Manchester, after a large and solemn 
meeting held on the occasion. He was aged 
e* 



I 



about seventy-five, and a minister about 
forty-three years. 

Given forth by the Meeting aforesaid, held 
at Manchester the First of the Fourth Month, 
181 8, and signed in and on behalf thereof, by 



JOHN BLUDWICK, 
JOHN KING, 
JOHN BRADS HAW, 
ROGER MERRICK, 
THOMAS HOYLE, Jun. 
MATTHEW CORBETT, 
WILLIAM THORP, 
JOHN BANCROFT, 
JAMES HALL, Jun. 
JOHN BURGESS, 
WILLIAM FOWDEN, 
JOHN BAGGS, 
PETER TAYLOR, 
BENJAMIN BINYON, 
JOSEPH EVELEIGH, 
JOSEPH CREWDSON, 
SAMUEL FORSTER, 
JOSEPH FELL, 
ISAAC CREWDSON, 
JOHN DAVIES, 
JOHN H. COCK BANE, 
W. G. ANSELL, 



PETER CLARE, 
JAMES HALL, 
JOHN WADKIN, 
JOHN WHITLOW, 
JOSEPH FLINTOFF, 
WILLIAM BOULTON, 
JOHN BANCROFT, Jun. 
JOHN GOODIER, 
THOMAS CREWDSON, 
WILSON CREWDSON, 
JOHN WORTHINGTON, 
JOHN BURTON, 
ISAAC HODGSON, 
RICHARD ODDIE, 
JOHN WINDSOR, 
JOSEPH ATKINSON, 
JOHN THISTLETHWAITE, 
JOHN WALTON, 
MICH1 SATTERTHWAITE, 
THOMAS FELLOWS, 
DAVID DOCKRAY, 



MARY ROBINSON, 
ELIZABETH BLUDWICK, 
ELIZABETH CREWDSON, 
RACHEL CREWDSON, 



MARTHA CLARE, 
ELIZABETH GOODIER, 
MARY CLARE, 
MARY TAYLOR, 



li. 



ABIGAIL D0CKRAY, 
MARY ROGERS, 
MARY MERRICK, 
ALICE ATKINSON, 
HANNAH WADKIN, 
ANN SATTERTHVVAITE, 
MARTHA BOULTON, 
ELIZABETH ATKINSON, 
MARGARET FLINTOFF, 



MARY KENDAL, 
DEBORAH BINYON, 
ALICE RYDER, 
ELIZABETH BANCROFT, 
ANN T HIST LET HWA1TE, 
TABITHA EVELEIGH, 
SARAH NEILD, 
SUSANNA ROBINSON, 
HANNAH BINYON. 



Read and approved in our Quarterly Meet- 
ing for Lancashire, held at Manchester, 
the Second day of the Fourth Month 5 
1818, and in and on behalf thereof, 
signed by 

George Crosfield, Jun. Clerk. 

Signed on behalf of the Women's Meeting by 
Elizabeth Crewdson, Clerk. 



LETTERS, &c. 



%ttttt & 

To John Cash, (late of Coventry.) 
Westminster, 10th Mo. 22, 1765. 

Dear Friend, 

W ith pleasure I received, read, 
and reviewed thy most welcome and long- 
expected letter. It is true, I see little in 
myself, and nothing of myself, sufficient to 
secure me a place in the memory of my 
friends ; but yet there are some reasons, not 
known to all the professors of friendship, 
that suffer me not to conclude myself for- 
gotten by those whose favour I esteem, 
though I receive not, so frequently as I could 



2 



wish, the evidences of their affectionate re- 
gard. 

I very much approve of thy intention of 
marriage. May our blessed Lord, if He 
please, who so remarkably honoured the 
marriage in Cana of Galilee with His pre- 
sence, vouchsafe His glorious attendance at 
the solemnization ; and unite you to each 
other and to Him, in that love which sur- 
vives faith and hope, and is coeval with 
eternity. 

I am well pleased to hear of thy going 
into business for thyself ; I hope it will 
answer thy end. If I recollect right, thou 
expressedst to me some diffidence of ven- 
turing into trade : truly it behoves us to be 
cautious in matters of importance ; but then, 
when we act our part to the best of our un- 
derstanding, it becomes us not (as Chris- 
tians) to despond. 

Let us remember, dear John, they that 
trust in the Lord need fear no want ; for He 
hath said, " I will never leave thee nor for- 
sake thee and ought we not to rest satis- 
fied in the most sure promise of Him who is 
faithful ? " Seek ye first the kingdom of 



s 



God. and His righteousness, and all things 
[necessary] shall be added unto you. 55 He 
that feedeth the ravens, and clothes the 
lilies ; without whose approbation a spar- 
row shall not fall, will not fail, if our trust is 
in Him, to extend a paternal, providential 
care over us, who are more considerable 
(though we be nothing) than the grass of the 
field, or the fowls of the air, and of more 
value than many sparrows. 

I am obliged to thee for conveying my 
mother's love, from whom I am glad by 
every opportunity to hear. It gives me 

satisfaction to hear that friends at are 

generally well, but I am really sorry there 
should be any successors of the Laodicean 
church amongst them ; such a disposition of 
luke-warmness must, and will for ever, be 
productive of barrenness, of nakedness, of 
poverty and want. Oh ! what can be done 
or said, to alarm the indolent religious pro- 
fessors, who seem dead to their best reason 
and truest interest : insensible of the bless- 
ings and glory of heaven, and deaf to His 
most glorious voice, who hath so long mul- 
tiplied His calls in mercy, and waited to be 



4 



gracious to "them. Well! well! if such da 
not in time (and the present is only theirs) 
rouse themselves from their beds of ease, be 
zealous and repent, they may remember that 
He, whose word shall never go forth in vain, 
hath already pronounced " Wo to them that 
are at ease in Zion," and said to the luke- 
warm, " I will spew thee out of my mouth." 

I am entirely of thy opinion with regard 

to , and abundantly convinced 

that our sentiments are just. Alas ! alas ! 
flesh and blood would fain pray, though it 
cannot wait ; and be a saint, though it can- 
not abide the will of God. 

I do not know that I have any thing more 
to add, and perhaps I have tresspassed too 
much on thy patience already ; so for this 
time conclude, and subscribe myself thy 
most loving and affectionate friend, 

John Thorp. 



5 



lifctieic II. 

To John Cash. 
Westminster, 5th Mo- 26, 1766. 

My de^r Friend, 

With regard to that part of thy last letter 
which respects thy external situation and 
circumstances, I have little to reply, because 
I have no doubt but in those things ail will 
be well. A due attention to the established 
maxims of frugality and industry, through 
the blessing of Providence, will hardly fail 
of procuring all that can be thought neces- 
sary by those who, like good old Jacob, can 
be content with food to eat and raiment to 
put«on. To the other part, which I count 
the best, in which I am more nearly con- 
cerned, and much more interested, I thought 
I should have answered more particularly ; 
but I feel myself rather mistaken, for truly 
I find very little to say; and to force myself, 
like Saul, and offer unrequested, would at 
best prove but an unprofitable folly. 

Are not men, the best of men, to be com- 
pared with reeds shaken with the wind, and 

B 



6 



clouds which cannot fill themselves ? who of 
themselves can do nothing for themselves, 
much less for others. But He, to whom the 
work of man's salvation belongeth, hath both 
wisdom and power to carry it on, and will 
carry it on unto the end, wherever it is be- 
gun, if we are but enough resigned, and in- 
terrupt it not But various are the courses 
of His operation, and various the dispensa- 
tions of His gracious providence, and often- 
times inscrutable to us. David experienced 
many conditions, between the sheep-fold 
and the throne ; and was ready to cry out, 
w T hen tottering on the verge of despondency, 
u I shall perish one day by the hand of 
Saul : " but David's God, the God who chose 
him from amongst his brethren, and called 
him to execute all His will, though He suffer- 
ed him to be tried, yea and often distressed 
too, yet He never did forsake him ; but in His 
own good time, which ever is the best time, 
established him on the throne of Israel, and 
gave him rest from all his enemies. A word 
to the wise may suffice, and I would not 
darken counsel by multiplying words without 
knowledge, John Thorp. 



7 



Xifcttei! 111. 

To John Cash. 

Westminster, 4th Mo. 11, 1767. 

My dear Friend, 

This week, as I looked over the contents 
of thy letter to me, I felt a sensible sympathy 
and affection, which engaged me to propose 
addressing to thee a few lines ; but truly, now 
I consider on what occasion, and to whom I 
am writing, I am almost persuaded that my 
labour might be spared, being assured thou 
art not destitute of a Comforter and Counsel- 
lor, that never faileth. What then remain- 
eth, but that I may, pursuant to the example 
of the apostle, endeavour to stir up the pure 
mind, by putting thee in remembrance of 
those things which inevitably bow the heart 
to the dispensations of Heaven, and inspire 
the mind with the language of holy Job, 
" The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken 
away ; blessed be the name of the Lord ; v 
and as Eli hath expressed it, " It is the Lord, 
let Him do what seem eth Him good?" 
Sensibly my friend, hast thou put the inter- 



8 



rogation, why should we murmur ? Surely 
it is our business to be resigned ; we ought, 
indeed, humbly to acquiesce, entirely to 
concede, aye, and wait to say amen, to 
every dispensation of the Divine Providence 
towards us, both in our temporal and spiri- 
tual affairs ; and by this Christian conduct 
through the various vicissitudes of life, every 
dispensation would be sanctified unto us. 
Why then should we murmur? Who shall 
say unto God, what dost thou ? Are not His 
judgments unsearchable, and his ways past 
finding out ? How do we know for what 
good cause Infinite Wisdom might see meet 
to select and separate, to take from the 
earth and receive into heaven, to involve in 
sorrow for a moment, or crown with ever- 
lasting joy, whom, when, and where, and 
how He pleases? 

This we know, (and I think there is a 
great deal of comfort in it,) that whatsoever 
our most gracious Father does, is indubita- 
bly right; and know, dear friend, that "all 
things work together for good to them that 
love God." Let us then, J pray thee, in 
every probation, in every trial and trouble. 



9 



that Infinite Wisdom may see meet should at- 
tend us in our probationary progress through 
this vale of tears, where truly we have no 
continuing city ; let us, pursuant to the ex- 
ample of the holy Jesus, submit ourselves 
to the will of God, saying, " if this cup may 
not pass away from me, except I drink it, 
Thy will be done." 

I might add much, but rather choose to 
conclude, which I will do by earnestly re- 
commending thee for comfort and counsel,, 
where I infallibly know both are for ever tc 
be received, even to him who is called the 
Comforter, the everlasting Counsellor, in 
whom is all safety and everlasting consola- 
tion. 

I am, dear friend, with the sincerest af- 
fection and esteem, thine, &c 

John Thorp 



10 



IifctUY IT. 

To John Cash. 
Manchester, 1st Mo. 13, 1768. 

Dear Friend, 

The last letter I had from thee is with 
the rest of my things at London ; the con- 
tents and sentiments I retain, which I 
thought both sorrowful and very Christaift. 
Indeed, dear friend, it certainly becomes us, 
(I have often thought so 5 ) as we can do no- 
thing of ourselves, to rest entirely resigned 
to the will of God, not only in the dispensa- 
tions of His providence in things without us, 
but also in the deep proving baptisms of the 
mind and spirit within us. 

Our blessed Lord, in all these things, hath 
left us an example in suffering and doing, and 
in humility and obedience unto death ; it is 
He, who is the Truth itself, who hath told us, 
that " Whosoever will save his life shall lose 
it, and whosoever will lose his life for my sake, 
shall find it" unto life eternal. "No man," 
saith He, " having put his hand to the plough, 
and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of 



II 



God ;" neither is there a possibility of our 
serving two masters: we cannot be heirs of 
two kingdoms, nor at once dedicate ourselves 
to God and to the world. The Lord will not 
accept a partial offering. " Choose you this 
day," said Joshua to Israel, " whom ye will 
serve ;" and then, according to the advice of 
David, let us "serve Him with a perfect heart 
and with a willing mind." " If any man will 
come after Me," said the blessed Jesus, " let 
him deny himself, and take up his cross and 
ibllow Me." 

Dear friend, though I had no particular 
engagement, yet, I think, in abundance of 
good-will, I had freedom to say thus much, 
being, at least part of it, what hath been 
frequently impressed on my mind with 
invincible conviction, to wit, the necessity 
of being altogether redeemed from the world, 
and all that is in the woild, in order that we 
might follow our blessed Lord in the rege- 
neration. This, with my love, is all at pre- 
sent from thy real friend, 

John Thorp* 



P. S. — I should be glad to hear from thee 



12 



when thou hast freedom. I would not that 
we should forget one another, especially 
when we are most sensible of good. 



To Frances Dodshon. 

Manchester, 5th Mo. 10, 1775. 

My Dear Friend, 

Feeling some degree of liberty, and the 
spring of good- will opened, I take this op- 
portunity to assure thee of the unfeigned re- 
gard which I feel for thee, and for thy pre- 
servation and further growth and establish- 
ment in the blessed truth ; and that thou 
mightst be happily enabled and disposed to 
watch and keep thy garments, that so neither 
heighths nor depths, nor things present nor 
to come, might be permitted to beguile thee 
of thy reward, or separate thee from the love 
of God which is in Christ Jesus ; and, in- 
deed, I have an evidence of the sincerity of 
thy heart, and uprightness of thy disposition, 
to bear, to do, and to suffer all things, and 



13 



to follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. 
* Lord," said Peter, " I am ready to go with 
Thee, both into prison and to death." Peter 
was full of zeal, and he loved more than his 
fellows; but, alas! when the time of trial 
came, he was not able to bear those abasing 
seasons of humiliation and baptism unto 
suffering and death, which, in the course of 
Divine Wisdom and Counsel, were appoint- 
ed to our Holy Leader ; and to all such, in 
a certain degree, who will follow him in the 
regeneration. 

"Let this mind be in you," saith the 
apostle, " which was also in Christ Jesus, 
who, being in the form of God, thought it 
not robbery to be equal with God, but made 
Himself of no reputation, and took upon 
Him the form of a servant, and w r as made 
in the likeness of men; and being found in 
fashion as a man, He humbled himself, and 
became obedient unto death, even the death 
of the cross ; wherefore God also hath high- 
ly exalted Him, and given Him a name 
which is above every name." 

Now, that which seems most in my view, 
and which I do most deeply and frequently, 



14 



both for myself and thee wish, is, that we 
might patiently, and with resigned, devoted 
hearts, receive and submit to every dispen- 
sation of Divine Providence, however they 
may be directed to reduce, to humble, and 
to abase : if they lead again into Jordan, 
that so our flesh may become as the flesh 
of a little child, or into the furnace, that so 
the dross may be thoroughly purged from 
the silver, let us endure them ; and when 
the dross is purged from the silver, u there 
shall come forth a vessel for the Finer." 
Oh that we might patiently, willingly, and 
passively endure every preparative opera- 
tion, every mercifully renewed turning of 
His holy hand ; that so self might indeed 
become of no reputation, and we, according 
to His holy purpose, be formed vessels to 
His praise. 

John Thorp. 



15 



To Frances Dodshon. 

12th Mo. 12, 1776, 

Dear Friend, 

In some degree of that love, wherein the 
living have a fellowship which neither time, 
distance, nor death, can interrupt or dissolve ; 
wherein such a union and sympathy is ex- 
perienced, that at times we cannot help re- 
joicing with them that do rejoice, and weep- 
ing with them that weep : in the renewed 
movings of this love and life, hast thou of late 
often been brought to my remembrance ; at 
which times there have been raised and pre- 
sented to my mind some remarks and obser- 
vations, which I think I have at least liberty 
to offer to thy consideration. 

When that frequently deeply-humbled and 
tried servant of the Lord, the royal psalmist, 
was favoured with the renewed streams of 
that river, whose source is Everlasting Love, 
whereby the whole heritage of God is at 
times watered and made glad ; when his feet 
were set on a Rock that was higher than he. 



16 



and the new song was put into his mouth ; 
at these seasons he thought that his mountain 
stood strong, and said, in his prosperity, he 
should never be moved ; yet, afterwards, the 
Lord saw meet to permit that he should be 
so far tried, that he concluded himself for- 
saken, and in this humble, plaintive lan- 
guage, queries, ".Will the Lord cast off for 
ever ? and will He be favourable no more ? 
Is His mercy clean gone forever ? doth His 
promise fail for evermore ? Hath God forgot- 
ten to be gracious ? hath He in anger shut 
up His tender mercies?" Having thus, in 
the heights and in the depths, experienced 
preservation and deliverance, this righteous 
man was instructed to serve the Lord with 
fear, and to rejoice with trembling ; and 
having witnessed the sufficiency of the Al- 
mighty arm, so repeatedly stretched out for 
his deliverance and protection, he was ena- 
bled to say, " Though I walk through the 
valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no 
evil : for Thou art with me." And therefore, 
when the Lord saw meet to hide His face 
from him, and suffer fresh probations to at- 
tend hiiri, we find him availing himself of 



that mercy he had so often experienced ; 
and though he felt deeply at times, and 
was greatly dejected, yet his faith was so 
strengthened in Him who had raised him 
from the sheepcot to be His servant, (and 
though his house was not so with God, yet 
He had made with him an everlasting cove- 
nant, ordered in all things and sure,) that he 
could thus address himself in times of deep 
probation : " Why art thou cast down, O my 
soul ? and why art thou disquieted within 
me ? Hope thou in God ; for I shall yet 
praise Him, who is the health of my counte- 
nance and my God." 

Alas ! why should that wholesome disci- 
pline, which consummate Wisdom hath ever 
exercised upon those whom He hath made 
willing to bear every refining operation and 
turning of His holy hand, seem strange to 
any of us ? Gold is tried in the fire, and ac- 
ceptable men in the furnace of adversity ; 
and indeed, if u it became Him, for whom 
are all things, and by whom are all things 
in bringing many sons unto glory, to make 
the Captain of their salvation perfect through 
sufferings ; 55 if He was " a man of sorrows 



18 



and acquainted with grief," is it not "enough 
for the disciple that he be as his Master, and 
the servant as his Lord ?" 

There are various causes of suffering; 
there are various baptisms, buffetings, and 
trials ; our different conditions require a dif- 
ferent discipline, and the different designs of 
God upon us require, or make it necessary 
for us, to be brought under different opera- 
tions. All the faithful in the several gene- 
rations wherein the prophets lived, were not 
brought under those particular, and (for the 
present) grievous exercises which the pro- 
phets were, in order to prepare them for the 
work whereunto they w r ere called, unto 
which many learned obedience by the things 
which they suffered. 

It is true, the judgments of the Lord are 
many times unsearchable, and his ways 
past finding out " Who," saith the apostle, 
u hath known the mind of the Lord? or who 
hath been His counsellor ?" secret things 
belong to Him ; but things which are re- 
vealed, to us and to our children. But if all 
the holy patriarchs, prophets, apostles, mar- 
tyrs and confessors of Jesus, have, like their 



19 



blessed Lord, been men of sorrows and ac- 
quainted with grief and entered the kingdom 
through many tribulations ; can we doubt 
whether the particular trials, siftings, and 
probations, which God only wise permitted 
or appointed unto them, were not, to every 
one of these to whom he appointed them, 
mercies, mercies, mercies in disguise ? Were 
they not made a means of preservation in 
His fear, made a means of bringing them 
nearer to Him, to trust more firmly in, and 
to rely more entirely upon Him, the only 
refuge of the righteous in times of trouble ? 
Have not all the afflictions of the righteous 
been thus sanctified ? and will not the end- 
less hallelujah, which these shall have to 
sing, be unto Him who hath redeemed their 
souls out of all adversity, and made their 
garments white in the blood of the Lamb ? 

Many now, as well as formerly, are the 
afflictions of the righteous, and from differ- 
ent causes, different in their nature, and dif- 
ferent in their degree ; but, though hid from 
mortals, they are all known to God, who 
careth for them, by whom the very hairs of 
their head are all numbered, and not one of 



20 



them shall fall without Him. Their sighs 
are all numbered by Him, and their tears 
are all sealed up in His bottle ; why then 
should Sion say, or why should the watchers 
on her walls say, "The Lord hath forsaken 
me, and my Lord hath forgotten me ? can a 
woman forget her sucking child, that she 
should not have compassion on the son of 
her womb ? yea, they may forget," saith the 
Lord, "yet will I not forget thee : behold, I 
have graven thee upon the palms of my 
hands, thy w r alls are continually before me." 
No, verily, " the eyes of the Lord are over 
the righteous, and His ears are open unto 
their prayers." However unmindful He may 
seem to be of the distress and danger which 
threaten them, when the tempest arises, and 
the enemy breaketh in as a flood, yet in His 
own time, and that surely is the best time, 
will He arise, and rebuke both the wind and 
the waves, and the enemy, for their sakes ; 
and by the effective word of His power, who 
speaketh and it is done, once more say, 
" Peace, be still." 

But should it seem best to Him, who is 
wonderful in counsel, and doeth all things 



21 



right, to lead any in the line of the glorious 
process of His dear Son ; should the hour 
and power of darkness be extended to the 
latest moments ; should the final cup and 
baptism be the most trying and most bitter ; 
should our dying words, under these painful 
feelings, be expressed in that most moving 
language of the Son of God, " Eli, Eli, lama 
sabachthani," I should have no more doubt 
of the righteous soul thus tried, ascending 
from this cross, and apparent dereliction, to 
an immortal crown of righteousness and 
mansion of eternal glory ; no more doubt 
of these, than if I saw them ascending in the 
fiery chariots of sensible, celestial, soul- 
rejoicing fervours, 

I know not how sufficiently to inculcate 
this most certain truth, that the children of 
God are never more under His notice and 
most tender regard, than in the seasons of 
their deepest humiliations: never is He 
more intimately present with us, preparing 
and supporting under every operation, and 
directing, blessing, and sanctifying every dis- 
pensation, to willing, humbled and subjected 
souls. Thus is He carrying on His own woik f 
c* 



22 



though we see it not. Oh that thou mightst 
not be discouraged, nor sink under the pre- 
sent exercise ! nor murmur as some of old 
murmured ; nor think the Lord delayeth His 
coming: but endeavour, all in thy power, to 
centre in perfect resignation to the will of 
God ; and then, assuredly, all things will 
work together for thy good, and for thy ad- 
ditional preparation to glorify His holy name, 
in time and in eternity. Amen. 

From thy real, respectful friend, 
John Thorp. 

P. S. I do not forget, my honoured friend, 
to whom I am writing, nor my own infancy 
and weakness. It is with a feeling de- 
ference that I address to thee this feeble of- 
fering; but as I said, I thought I felt at least 
a liberty, and if the Lord be mercifully pleas- 
ed, so to bless it, that the pure mind be 
thereby stirred up ever so little, His name 
be praised ; but if I wrote ever so much, I 
should fall short of expressing to the full, the 
equal desire and faith which I feel, that thou 
mayst, and that thou wilt, in the Lord's own 
time, which thou art waiting for, yet have 



23 



to sing for joy of heart as in the days of thy 
youth, as in the days when thou wast brought 
forth out of the land of spiritual Egypt. 

"Lette? Til. 

To Frances Dodshon. 

7th Mo. 17, 1777. 

My dear and much esteemed Friend, 

Although I am persuaded, and have 
considered it, that thou hast seen, and felt 5 
and attained, beyond many of us, and .art 
much better capable of communicating thy 
experience ; yet I do not apprehend myself 
thereby excused from casting my mite into 
thy treasury of divine knowledge, though 
thereby I may expose my own poverty. 

The letter which thou condescendedst to 
write me, came duly to hand ; and since 
that time, and indeed ever since thou wast 
here, though my own concerns have been 
somewhat grievous, and demanded both my 
solicitude and attention, yet hast thou been 
often brought to my remembrance in much 
nearness ; yet so continual and invariable is 



24 



the sense and judgment with which my mind 
hath been impressed concerning thee, that 
the dispensation which thou art under is the 
effect of consummate Love and Wisdom, 
that the everlasting arms of Strength and 
Mercy are underneath for thy support, that 
the all-conquering, invincible Redeemer 
eontinueth his available intercession with 
the Father on thy behalf, that thy faith may 
be strengthened, continue and increase, — 
that my greatest concern and uniform pray- 
er, in union with the Divine Will, is, that 
thy present painful baptism may be blessed 
and sanctified to the benefit and edification 
of the churches, the glory of the everlasting 
God, and (as I also believe it will be) to thy 
own sanctification and salvation. For these 
ineffably glorious purposes, what can be too 
much to do, to bear, or suffer, according 
to the will of God ? It was for them that 
Jesus Christ our Lord vouchsafed to descend 
from the heights of immortality, and take 
upon Him the form of a servant, to bear the 
contradiction of sinners, the temptations of 
the enemy, and to offer up Himself upon the 
cross ? an everlasting sacrifice to God for the 



25 



sins of the whole world. It was for this, 
that He, who alone was able, vouchsafed to 
tread the wine -press alone, to stain all his 
garments, to drink " the dregs of the cup of 
trembling," and be baptized with the bap- 
tism of suffering unto death ! And O ! that 
all of us, who are desirous to be found in 
Him, may be at least contended so to walk 
even as he walked, in the depths of abase- 
ment, humiliation and suffering, in the dif- 
ferent frequency and degrees wherein He 
may be pleased to lead, until he say for 
us, as for Himself, " It is finished." 

Strait and narrow hath the way to the 
kingdom ever been; attended with difficul- 
ties, accompanied with crosses, and entered 
through many tribulations. Yet are not the 
commandments of the Lord grievous: yet 
is there great delight in the keeping of 
His law; yet is there a recompense a thou- 
sand fold, even in this life, for all our suffer- 
ings, in the recurrent participation and en- 
joyment of that peace " which passeth all 
understanding," in the earnest of that " ex- 
ceeding and eternal weight of glory," with 
which all our sufferings in this life are not 
worthy to be compared. 



26 



" Without controversy, great is the mys- 
tery of godliness," altogether surpassing hu- 
man comprehension; and those parts of that 
mystery in which we are most deeply inte- 
rested, we can only see into and understand, 
as He, who hath the key of David, the Lion 
of the tribe of Judah, is pleased to loose the 
seals and open unto us. How necessary 
then is it for us to take heed to the advice 
of the apostle Paul, u Judge nothing before 
the time ; yea," said this Apostle, " I judge 
not mine own self." 

Our duty, our interest, our advancement 
in the divine life, consist not in our compre- 
hending in theory, but following in obedi- 
ence, and in the simplicity of little children. 
Be not then, my dear friend, over anxious 
about the cause, the duration, or effects of 
thy present humiliation ; but endeavour to 
cast all thy care upon Him who careth for 
thee, to put thy whole trust in Him, in whom 
is everlasting strength, without whose ap- 
probation a hair of thy head shall not perish. 
Blessing and glory, and honour be to Him, 
whom the Father hath appointed an ever- 
lasting and holy High-priest over the house 



27 



of God; for such a one indeed became us, 
who is " touched with the feeling of our in- 
firmities." He sees. He marks every cir- 
cumstance, every peculiarity of thy mourn- 
ful condition, when the enemy may be per- 
mitted to sift and to buffet thee, and thou 
art " tossed with tempest, and not comfort- 
ed." He sees these things, He knows these 
things, whose vigilance nothing can elude, 
whose power is omnipotent, who hath set 
bars and doors to the sea, and ascertained 
the point whereto its proudest waves shall 
rise and go no further. But thou knowest 
these things, and, I am persuaded, art dis- 
posed and endeavouring to do them; yet 
suffer me to express it, as it is in my heart 
to encourage thy perseverance in a total re- 
signation of thyself to the disposal of Al- 
mighty power and Goodness, that God only 
is wise, that He " doth not afflict willingly, 
nor grieve the children of men ;" that His 
judgments are true and righteous, that His 
ways are ju3t and equal ; that He " will 
never leave thee, nor forsake thee ;" but, in 
the time appointed, will surely give unto 
thee " beauty for ashes," and " the oil of joy 



23 



for mourning: 95 and though thou mayst seem 
to thyself to lie as amongst the pots, and es- 
teem thyself as a broken vessel, yet it is my 
invariable persuasion, thou shalt again be 
brought forth as the dove, whose wings are 
covered with silver, and her feathers with 
yellow gold. 

Assuredly, my friend, if it would avail any 
thing to thy comfort, thou art very far from 
being alone in tribulation. I speak not of 
outward troubles; they, indeed, are light 
afflictions, and they are but for a moment ; 
but of those which result from the spiritual 
warfare, wherein we wrestle not with flesh 
and blood only, nor our own concern as in- 
dividuals; the impending judgments of the 
Lord on a backsliding generation, and the 
general state of the churches amongst our- 
selves, wherein the obvious, painful preva- 
lence of the nature and spirit of the world, 
the famine of that Word whose entrance 
giveth life, furnish abundant cause to the 
living for mourning, for sackcloth, for un- 
speakable distress! Nevertheless, we are 
at seasons favoured to behold, in the vision 
of Divine Light, a prospect into better times ; 



29 



wherein the Lord will in mercy u turn again 
our captivity as the streams in the south fl 
times wherein the Lord will more eminent- 
ly appear to be with us, and the shout of a 
mighty King be heard amongst us; who 
will again mak# u His angels spirits, and 
His ministers a flame of fire." 

Thus is my faith as an individual, though, 
I trust, in concert with many others, strength- 
ened to believe, that the time will come, 
when the gospel shall be preached in all 
nations, with the Holy Ghost sent down 
from heaven ; that " from the rising of the 
sun even unto the going down of the same," 
His u name shall be great among the gen- 
tiles, and in every place, incense shall be 
offered unto his name, and a pure offering." 
Thus shall the knowledge of the Lord cover 
the earth, thus shall the w T hole earth be fill- 
ed with His glory; then shall the morning 
stars sing together, and all the sons of God 
shout for joy. 

Upon the whole, I cannot forbear to add, 
that I wish myself more worthy of the suf- 
ferings of the present day ; more worthy to 
partake in the glory that shall follow; and 

D 



30 



that I was more worthy to express these 
things in this manner to one so far above me. 

My wife joins, in dear love to thyself and 
husband, with me ; and at this time, in con- 
firmed faith and fresh desires for thy pre- 
servation and deliverance fh the will of God, 
I conclude, and subscribe myself .thy brother 
in Christ Jesus, 

John Thorp. 



lifcttfcT! Till. 

To Frances Dodshon. 

8th Mo. 23, 1778. 

My dear Friend, 

Although I have a particular value for 
thee, and count myself favoured by thy cor- 
respondence ; yet conscious what I am, and 
indeed what all instruments are, and what 
they are but; and knowing that all good 
comes from the one Fountain of Good, and 
is never so effectually administered as when 
the living springs from thence are immedi- 
ately opened in the soul, whereby I have 



31 



desired thou mightest be supplied with eve- 
ry degree of wisdom and patience, strength 
and consolation, which God only wise sees 
meet to vouchsafe unto thee ; so that I was 
willing to decline writing, until I felt my 
mind impressed with some degree of neces- 
sity ; and truly I may tell thee, that I feel 
much sympathy and concern for thee in thy 
present suffering state, yet ever attended 
with an indubitable evidence that all things 
will w 7 ork together for thy good ; and that, 
when the Lord shall see meet to say, u It is 
enough, 55 thy soul shall be set at liberty, and 
filled forever with His praise. 

The Lord's ways are not our ways, His 
thoughts are notour thoughts; one day with 
Him is " as a thousand years, and a thou- 
sand years as one day. 55 The depths, the 
designs, the concealed mercy in His varied 
dispensations, when His way is in the thick 
darkness, are beyond our comprehension; 
but this we know, that with Him there is 
" no variableness, neither shadow of turn- 
ing; 55 that having loved His own, He loveth 
them to the end ; that through whatsoever suf- 
ferings, tribulations, or conflicts, He may be 



32 



pleased to lead His chosen ones, that it is 
His good pleasure to give them the kingdom ; 
that He is greater than all, and none shall be 
able to pluck them out of His hand. 

Be not then, my dear friend, discouraged, 
when the enemy may be permitted to sift 
and to buffet thee ; endeavour to stand still 
in these times of trial, and in the Lord's time 
He will lift up an effectual standard against 
him, and cause thee afresh to experience 
His complete salvation. Deeply have the 
most dignified of all the children of God 
often been tried ; often led in paths of unut- 
terable humiliation and abasement, in the 
course of their purification; yet were none 
that ever trusted in the Lord, and abode in 
His fear, confounded or forsaken. Whom 
hath He ever prepared for a habitation with 
Him in glory, who have not measureably 
drunk of this cup, and been baptized with 
this baptism ? "lama worm, and no man 
I have not the spirit of a man ; " I am for- 
gotten as a dead man out of mind ; I am like 
a broken vessel," is a language in which 
all the redeemed of our God have been 
more or less instructed. " Are ye able 



33 



to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and 
to be baptized with the baptism that I am 
baptized with ?" was the very query propos- 
ed by our blessed Lord to the two disciples, 
who were emulous of a situation at His right 
and left hand in glory. Now what was this 
cup, and what was this baptism ? it was a 
cup of ineffable, agonizing distress, and bap- 
tism into the deepest suffering and death ; 
the depth and nature whereof are awfully 
set forth in that solemn expostulation, " Why 
hast thou forsaken me r 55 This was the bap- 
tism through which the holy Jesus had to 
pass, and with which he was straitened un- 
til it was accomplished. This was the cup 
which, though intolerable to human nature. 
He was desirous to drink, according to the 
will of God : " Father, if this cup may not 
pass from me, except I drink it, thy will be 
done. 55 This is the acceptable state ; this 
was the mind that was in Christ, concerning 
whom it is written in the volume of the 
book, " Lo ! I come to do thy will, O God/ ? 
and not his own. Oh the perfection of this 
state ! wherein no choice is formed, no de- 
sire arises, no prayers are offered up, but 

IT* 



34 



what are circumscribed by, and centre in, 
"not my will, but thine be done.' 5 It is to 
reduce us to, or rather, raise us into this state, 
that all the varied turnings of His holy hand 
and the dispensations of His providence, are 
directed; and then, in this state, whether we 
are called to unite in the hosanna to our 
adorable Redeemer, or go with Him over 
the brook Cedron, and with Him sweat great 
drops of sorrow, we are equally acceptable 
unto Him. It is to this state all things are 
equally sanctified, whether it be to reign or 
to suffer with Him ; whether the north or 
the south wind blows upon it, the spices 
equally flow out, and ascend as incense, 
equally acceptable unto the God of heaven 
and of the whole earth. 

Be not then dismayed ; give not way to 
slavish fear, attend not to the discourage- 
ments the enemy would cast before thee; 
for, I believe thou wast never more under 
the Divine notice, nor more acceptable to 
Him, than in this very season ; and so sure 
as the records of heaven do not fail, so sure 
is thy name written there, never, never to be 
* erased. Though thou feel not the uniform 



35 



prevalence of that Power, unto which |he 
devils are subject, in the degree thou hast 
formerly done, " Yet in this rejoice," said 
our holy Redeemer, " that your names 
written in heaven: 5 ' and though thy present 
state, according to thy own sensibility o£ih 
be a painful, dark, oppressed, imprisoned 
state, yet permit me to say, fear not^ the 
Lord is on thy side, encamped round spout 
thee ; " greater is He that is in thee, than he 
that is in the world ; 55 and, in His own time, 
He will open the prison doors ; He will re- 
lieve the oppressed, and " say to the prison- 
ers, Go forth, to them that are in darkness, 
Show yourselves; 55 and thy feeding shall 
again be in the ways, and thy pastures in 
all high places. 

How canst thou think, my dear friend, at 
any time, that thou art finally forsaken or 
forgotten of God, though in unsearchable 
wisdom, He sees meet to hide His face, at 
seasons, from thee? Is God unrighteous? 
do His compassions ever fail? are not his 
promises sure? and doth He not strictly 
keep covenant ? Hath He not delivered out of 
six troubles, and is His arm shortened ? Hath 

is 



36 



He vouchsafed, in unutterable love, to draw 
thy soul after Him in infant years, and to 
reveal himself unto thee, to be the stay of 
thy youth, the God of thy life, and will He 
now forsake thee? No; glory to His name, 
it is not so : He is the same He ever was, 
when thy soul was first ravished with Him, 
and He became to thee " the chiefest among 
ten thousand." His regard, his love, the 
yearning of His bowels, are as much as ever 
towards thee; and, as He hath vouchsafed 
to be thy morning light, and the stay of thy 
youth, so will he be thy evening song, and 
the staff of thy old age. Endeavour then, 
my dear friend, to cast out all discouragements 
and painful doubtings, and let thy hope, thy 
trust, thy only expectation be from Him ; 
aod though thou mayst seem cast out from 
His sight, yet, let thy looking be towards 
His holy temple; and in His own time He 
will give thee the desire of thy heart, and 
thou shalt yet praise Him on the banks of 
deliverance, and tell of His wonders in the 
deep, who is a God, infinite in power, wis- 
dom and love ; whose " mercy endureth for- 
ever. 55 and of whose loving kindness there is 



37 



I desire the increase and establishment of 
thy healthy and in order to it, I wish thee to 
take as much exercise, within and without 
doors, as thou art capable of without weari- 
ness ; and let nothing prevail, to induce thee 
to deny thyself of any quantity or quality 
of food that may best nourish and sustain thy 
body. 

I am, with much affection, real regard, 
and love unfeigned, thy friend in the fellow- 
ship of gospel love, 

John Thorp* 

XietteT IX. 

To Frances Dodshon. 

Manchester, 6th Mo. 17, 1779, 

My dear Friend, 

I cannot with ease omit this opportunity 
of communicating a few lines to thee, to ac- 
knowledge the receipt of thy letter ; and be 
assured, no want of true friendship for thee, 
nor inattention to the subject, has been the 
cause why I have not answered it sooner ; 



38 



but chiefly because I have nothing to say, 
which has not in substance at least been al- 
ready said. My faith and hope, and all my 
feelings concerning thee, when clothed with 
a right mind, being invariably the same ; 
and because I am abundantly persuaded, 
that however, in thy own apprehension, thou 
mayst seem to stand in need of compas- 
sion and help from the least of the flock, yet 
I know that He, who made and supports all 
worlds, and all beings ; with whom not only 
all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge 
are, but also all power in heaven and on 
earth, is thy Shepherd, thy Saviour, thy 
shield, and thy exceeding great reward. 

With regard to the distressing probations 
of thy present state, I have only to say, I 
pray in faith that thou mayst be supported 
under and to the end of them all ; that the 
gracious design of the Almighty may be fully 
answered concerning thee. What I feel at 
any time of concern for thee, is on account 
of thy present suffering ; for I have no fear 
or doubt at all with respect to the issue of 
thy present conflicts. Nay, verily, when I 
hav r e read over thy letters, those which have 



39 



been most replete with lamentation and fear, 
so far have I been from feeling any degree 
of discouragement on thy account, that my 
faith has often been raised to a degree of as- 
surance* that there was no one in a safer 
state. u My Father is greater than al]/' said 
the adorable Jesus, concerning those whom 
the Father had drawn unto and given Him, 
w and none can pluck them out of my Fa- 
thers hand." 

Is the cause of thy present suffering a pain- 
ful uncertainty whether it originateth in mind 
or body ; whether on thy own account as an 
evil-doer, or in a state of union with the holy, 
suffering seed, filling up what remains of the 
afflictions of Christ, for His body's sake, 
which is the church ? whether purely a dis- 
pensation from the Almighty, for thy more 
perfect purification, or the weight of His 
judgments for former offences? or whether 
arising only from natural causes in the con- 
stitution of the human frame ? is the clear, 
distinct knowledge of these things at all 
veiled or hid from thyself or others ? why is 
it so ? Doth not Infinite Wisdom know it, 
and cannot He reveal it ? What is the rea 



40 



son, then, why He doth not do it ? why, 
surely, because it is best it should be con- 
cealed, just in the manner and degree it is. 

that thou couldst but cast, without inter- 
mission, all caring and anxious solicitude, 
concerning these things, upon Him who 
careth for thee ; and think of nothing but 
the most perfect submission and resignation 
to the will of God, whether in suffering or 
reigning with Him. . Now, I verily believe 
this is thy desire and concern, and therefore 

1 am persuaded that, however thy trial may 
be permitted to continue or increase ; though 
the furnace should be heated seven times 
hotter than it ever yet hath been, yet shalt 
thou be brought forth but with so much 
greater purity, without so much as the smell 
of fire having passed on thy garments. 

Oh the unspeakable safety of this resign- 
ed, humble, trusting, depending state! and 
truly the fitness and necessity of it, are equal 
to its safety : for what are we, and w hat have 
we to boast of but our abundant infirmities ? 
Beset then as we are, in this state of proba- 
tion, from within and from without, what 
can the willings and runnings of the crea- 



41 



ture avail ? or what have we to trust in, to 
rely or depend upon, but upon God who 
showeth mercy ? and that mercy is Christ 
Jesus. I commend thee then, with my- 
self, my dear friend, into the arms of this 
Everlasting Mercy, for safety, keeping, and 
preservation ; for He is, (thou hast hitherto 
experienced it to be so, and thou wilt do to 
the end,) that salvation which God hath ap- 
pointed "for walls and bulwarks;" and the 
more thou art weakened and reduced, as to 
thy own strength, the more will His strength 
be magnified in thy salvation. And I have 
to believe, and liberty to express it, that the 
more thou art emptied and humbled, the 
more abundantly thou shalt be filled with 
His glory and presence, who is thy life. The 
deeper thou descendest into suffering and 
humiliation, the higher shalt thou rise in do- 
minion, with thy suffering, glorified Redeem- 
er ; for, as said the apostle, " If we be dead 
with Him, we shall also live with Him ; if 
we suffer, we shall also reign with Him." 

It is in my heart therefore to say, Be care- 
ful for nothing ; but in every thing, by prayer 
and supplication, let thy wants be made 

E 



42 



known unto God ; cast all thy care upon Him, 
both with regard to soul and body, time and 
eternity > and He will be every thing to thee 
thou standest in need of, according to the 
riches of His mercy in Christ Jesus. And, in- 
deed, I see it clearly with an eye of faith, that 
the Lord, the glorious Lord, both is and will 
be unto thee, wisdom, righteousness, and 
strength ; thy sword, thy bow, thy battle-axe, 
thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. 
I know He is on thy side, encamped round 
about thee ; " and though a thousand fall at 
thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand," 
thou shalt be preserved as Mount Sion that 
cannot be moved. My soul is exceedingly 
humbled, in thankfulness to the God of all 
grace, for that, in adorable condescension, 
He hath vouchsafed to fill my heart at this 
time, for thy sake no doubt, with such a de- 
gree of faith and hope concerning thee, as I 
am not able to express ; — thanksgiving and 
praise be to Him therefore. 

It has several times struck my mind, whilst 
I have been writing, and a degree of sym- 
pathy has been raised in my heart with thee, 
that thy present humiliation, and compara- 



43 



tive uselessness in thy own apprehension, 
in respect of former service, affect thee with 
a generous concern, on the church's account, 
wherein, to be sure, the number of upright la- 
bourers is small ; but know, my dear friend, 
nay, thou dost know it, that the work and the 
power too are the Lord's ; that He can work 
by many or by few, with or without instru- 
ments ; and I believe He will work marvel- 
lously, and by His power carry on His work, 
and none shall let it. To Him, therefore, 
let us commit his own cause, desiring, will- 
ing, choosing nothing for ourselves, but that 
His will may be done in us and by us, as it 
is done in heaven. 

I have only to add, that I would have thee 
in any wise comply with whatever thou 
thinkest may conduce to thy bodily health, 
in meet, drink, sleep, and exercise : to do 
any thing to injure our health, or shorten 
our lives, is certainly a fault The blessing 
of natural life and health, deserves our gra- 
titude and attention ; and I believe it equal- 
ly offensive to defile or to destroy. 

I desire to be remembered by thee. It is 
always pleasing to me to hear from thee, 



44 



Give my love to thy husband, in which my 
wife joins, and to thyself. 

In the unfeigned fellowship of the gospel, 
I conclude at this time, and subscribe my- 
self, thy loving and affectionate friend, 

John Thorp. 

P. S. — Thou hast no occasion to fear my 
being offended at thy having suffered some 
of my letters to be seen ; it is perfectly no- 
thing to me. 



To Frances Dodshon. 

Manchester, 4th Mo. 16, 1780, 

My dear Friend, 

It might seem somewhat inconsistent 
with that friendship which I have often, and 
with much sincerity, professed for thee, (and 
which in truth I do constantly possess,) that 
I have been so long in acknowledging the 
receipt of thy letter, which, as all thine are, 
was a welcome one to me ; but thou, my 



45 



friend, hast been better instructed, wherein 
the best fellowship consisteth, — not in words, 
but is beyond them, and standeth on that 
Foundation which will endure for ever. But 
the truth is, I had nothing which I believed 
it to be my business to communicate ; at 
which, indeed, I do not wonder, believing 
the best of Counsellors, on w r hom all sure 
help is laid, to be often near thee ; and thou 
knowest, the more our eye and attention are 
steadily unto Him, and our only expecta- 
tion is from Him, the more we are in the 
way of receiving that help which cometh 
from Him ; and this, thou knowest, is with- 
out exception, whatever be our state. To 
be preserved in faith, in patience, in humili- 
ty and resignation of mind, in heights, in 
depths, in the night and in the day, is what 
I most earnestly desire on my own account ; 
and I believe it to be the happy exercise 
(and, in good degree, the blessed experi- 
ence) of my much esteemed friend. 

I desire my love to thy husband, whose 
kindness towards thee, and sympathy with 
thee, and (according to his measure) bearing 
a part of thy burden, will, I have no doubt, 
6* 



46 



like the prayers and alms of Cornelius, go 
up as a memorial before God. 

In a measure of that love, and desire for 
its increase, which believeth, hopeth, and 
endureth all things, wherein consisteth the 
communion of saints, and the resurrection 
from the dead, I conclude at this time ; thy 
truly affectionate friend, 

John Thorp. 

liettaT XI. 

To Frances Dodshon. 

Manchester, 1 1th Mo. 5, 1780. 

My dear Friend, 

My mind is frequently so shut up in 
meetings, and after them too, (and my mouth 
of course,) through the absence of Divine 
Light, at least as to the sensible feeling and 
enjoyment of it in dominion, that I seem to 
myself often unfit to speak or write any thing 
on religious subjects 5 yet, whether in suf- 
fering or rejoicing, I have fellowship with 
thee, and experience no abatement of that 



47 



assurance which hath often been sealed on 
my mind, of the safety and blessedness of 
thy state ; and though Infinite Wisdom is 
pleased still to permit close trials and*con- 
flicts to attend, yet these are but marks of 
filiation ; " whom the Lord loveth he chas- 
teneth ;" those wliom He is in mercy pre- 
paring to be clothed in white, He is leading 
through many tribulations. 

I remember when I was a child in years 
and in religious* exercises, I thought there 
was none so exempt from trials and troubles 
as those who were truly devoted to God : 
but I have since been otherwise instructed ; 
and I now believe, that they who are most 
entirely devoted to Him, are often led into 
the greatest depths of suffering. This is 
abundantly evinced by the patriarchs, 
prophets, apostles, and confessors of the holy 
Jesus, who was himself " a man of sorrows 
and acquainted with grief; 55 nay, he was 
esteemed " stricken, smitten of God and af- 
flicted; so that, should our judgment be so 
far taken away in the days of our humili- 
ation, as thus to esteem ourselves "smit- 
ten, stricken .of God and afflicted," it is no 



48 



more than what happened to our blessed 
Lord. But what need have I to w^rite these 
things to thee ? thou know est them far bet- 
ter than I am able to express them, and the 
ground and cause have been deeply opened 
in thee, to wit, that every thing in us might 
be given up, crucified and slain, but that 
holy birth of life, which, in perfect submis- 
sion and resignation, prays always to its Fa- 
ther, who is in heaven, " Thy kingdom 
come, thy will be done." m 

It is certainly the will of God, and con- 
sistent with His goodness, so to sanctify all 
crosses and afflictions to His children, as to 
make them a means of their passing more 
entirely into the Divine nature ; of entering 
more fully into Him, who is the soul's rest 
and sure hiding-place forever ; so that, put- 
ting their whole trust in God, they leave to 
His disposal all their concerns, both here 
and hereafter. I think I am sensible, whilst 
I am writing, of the ardent longing of thy 
soul after this state ; and as fully so that it 
is the will of God in Christ Jesus to gather 
thee into it ; and truly I believe, thou art far 
nearer to this perfect state, than many of 



49 



those whom thou preferrest to thyself, and 
who perhaps are little acquainted with thy 
depths of conflict. 

I know thou makest no great account of 
outward crosses and sufferings. I know the 
distress of thy soul is the absence of thy 
Beloved, and Bridegroom of souls ; but art 
thou grown therefore more indifferent about 
Him? are thy desires abated, or do thy 
longings cease ? Nay, are they not increas- 
ed, and art not thou become more weaned 
from every thing besides Him ? What then 
shall we say, my dear friend ? perhaps it 
was for this end that He has withdrawn Him- 
self, (as to the sensible enjoyment,) that so 
we might become, by this means, more fully 
prepared, and our capacities more enlarged, 
for Him to take up His abode with us for- 
ever. Now, I have no doubt at all, but this 
will in due time become thy singularly hap- 
py and blessed experience. Oh! if I were 
bat as fully persuaded concerning myself, 
that all that spiritual poverty, darkness, bar- 
renness, and distress, which I frequently ex- 
perience, would turn to the same good ac- 
count ; how thankful should I be! Yet I am 



50 



kept above despondency ; my faith and hope, 
through and in Divine Mercy, are preserved. 
I know in whom I have believed, and in 
w horn thou hast most surely believed ; and 
that He is able to keep that which we have 
desired, and at times been enabled to com- 
mit unto Him. Amen. 

In a feeling sense of the virtue, love, and 
sincerity of divine truth, concludes at this 
time, thy affectionate friend, 

John Thokp. 

liettex Xll. 

To Frances Dodshon. 

Manchester, 9th Mo. 24, 1781. 

My dear Friend, 

Feeling at this time renewedly a con- 
siderable degree of sympathy, affection, and 
concern for thee, it is in my heart to visit 
thee with a few lines, though in truth I have 
not a sentence before me, nor any appre- 
hension that I shall have any thing to say in 



51 



the truth, whereof thou art not more grown 
and confirmed by experience ; yet if hap- 
pily, through the Divine blessing, I should 
be so directed in this letter, that it should 
tend in any degree to stir up the pure mind, 
to strengthen the hands which are ready to 
hang down, and to confirm the feeble knees, 
I know that humble thankfulness would 
therefore arise, as indeed it ought, to the 
Giver of every good and perfect gift. 

In the account which thou writest me, con- 
cerning thy state, there is still much com- 
plaint of the frequent absence of that ado- 
rable Goodness, from which all real com- 
fort and happiness can spring. This, added 
to thy advanced age and present arduous 
situation, together with some unhappy events 
which have lately happened in the compass 
of your meeting; the consideration and feel- 
ing of these things must needs clothe thy 
mind with sackcloth and great distress. The 
occasion which has been given, by reason of 
the things which have happened, for the ad- 
versary to speak reproachfully, the testimo- 
ny seeming to fall in the streets, deserted 
and betrayed by those who should have 



52 



united in its support, is truly very affecting; 
so that indeed there seems great reason to 
adopt that mournful query, Lord, " what 
wilt thou do unto thy great Name ?" or " by 
whom shall Jacob arise, for he is small ?" 
Now, my dear friend, in such a situation of 
things as this, what can we do ? Can we 
rebuild the walls of Sion, or restore her waste 
places ? Can we fight the Lord's battles, and 
turn again the captivity of his people ? Are 
we able to go in and out before them, to 
mourn skilfully ourselves, and teach the 
daughters lamentation? Nay, who is suffi- 
cient for these things ? What then remains 
for us to do ? what is our proper business ? 
Why, surely, that very same thing which the 
great apostle adviseth, in these words : 
u Study to be quiet, and to do your own bu- 
siness." 

u It is not in man that walketh to direct 
his steps" aright ; the wrath of man (nor his 
zeal neither) worketh not the righteousness 
of God. u The steps of a good man are or- 
dered by the Lord." " Study to be quiet," 
and in peaceful, perfect submission, com- 
mit thyself wholly into the hands of Almigh- 



53 



ty God ; and in His will concerning thee, 
rest always satisfied ; for surely it is fit that 
He should dispose of us ; that He should di- 
rect every thing that any way relates, either 
to our outward or inward state ; because He 
is our Father, if we are but enough depen- 
dent on Him. He only is wise, and knows 
what is best for us, and what will most con- 
tribute to his glory. This is the acceptable 
state ; " Thy will be done ; " give what 
Thou pleasest, withhold what Thou pleasest. 
" Give us this day our daily bread," whether 
it be the bread of adversity, or the water of 
affliction ; or the bread which cometh down 
from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 
" Thy will be done," whether Thou be 
pleased to lift up the light of Thy counten- 
ance, and bless us with the sensible enjoy- 
ment of Thy glorious presence, wherein in- 
deed there is life; or Thou seest it more 
profitable for us to be exercised in a state of 
barrenness, mourning, deep feeling of our 
own weakness, and spiritual poverty, Thy 
will, Thy holy blessed will be done. 

Now, I do believe thou art advanced far, 
very far beyond me in these experiences ; 

F 



54 



but yet I know what I say, and indeed 1 
have seen, and do see, such an excellence, 
such necessity, such perfection, safety, and 
beauty, in this state of perfect, total, unre- 
served submission and resignation to God ? 
more especially in spiritual things, but in- 
deed in all things ; that I am no way able 
to express myself in a manner equal to my 
views and feelings of this state ; nor to re- 
commend it according to its infinite worth ; 
because it is here we see our own nothing- 
ness, and the all of God. It is here that we 
receive counsel and ability to perform the 
service of the present day, resting satisfied 
with His appointments and allotments, 
whether in public or private labour, whether 
in doing or suffering, according to the will 
of God. 

God Almighty, if it be His will, gather 
and preserve thee here, in a state of humble 
trust and firm reliance on His mercy ; and 
limit and rebuke the power of the enemy, 
that he may never be permitted to bring 
thee into any degree of despondency. 

To the keeping, guidance, and protection 
of the great Shepherd of Israel, I commend 



55 



thee with myself, and at this time bid thee 
farewell. 

From thy loving, affectionate friend, 

John Thorp. 

P. S. Martha Routh is on a religious visit 
to some meetings in Yorkshire. Brother T* 
Cash, in company with Isaac Gray, is on a 
visit to several of the midland counties: and 
William Rathbone on the same errand in 
the southwest ; so that the work of the Lord 
is going forward, and then, no matter who 
are the instruments, all is right that is in the 
Divine appointment. So that the walls of 
partition and opposition be brought down, no 
matter whether the silver trumpet, or the 
ram's horn be made use of as the instru- 
ment. 

I cannot well forbear just adding, that the 
faith and hope which I have so frequently 
felt concerning thee, and sometimes ex- 
pressed in my letters, remain with me in as 
great a degree as ever ; and no shadow of 
doubt at any time attends my mind con- 
cerning thy state, which I verily believe to 
be in the allotment of consummate Wisdom, 



56 



and that it will turn to thy unspeakable ad- 
vantage, and, in the end, be sanctified to thy 
everlasting salvation. 



XifctteY XIII. 

To Richard Shackleton. 

Manchester, 1st Mo. 11, 1782, 

My dear Friend, 

Thy letters we received duly, though 
we have not answered them so. I was anx- 
ious to hear of thine and the young man's 
safe arrival at your respective habitations, 
and was pleased to read the account of it in 
thy first letter. I was much pleased with it, 
as it seemed to me replete with sentiments 
and monitions, not only truly Christian, but 
very seasonable, It is cause of thankful- 
ness to some of us, to hear that we have so 
much place in thy affectionate remem- 
brance ; and truly thou art frequently re- 
membered by us, I almost think with as 
much affection and regard as thou canst 
wish. 



57 



Ever since thou left us, I have purposed 
to write to thee ; but a sort of procrastina- 
tion somewhat natural to me, and not the 
least of my weaknesses, has hitherto pre- 
vented : yet I think I know so much of the 
nature of religious, I had almost said di- 
vine friendship, as to allow me to say, that 
it can be effectually supported without ex- 
terior correspondence, (though this I much 
approve in its place.) The nature, the ground, 
and support of this friendship, are most excel- 
lently described in a few words by the beloved 
disciple : " If we walk in the light, as He is 
in the light, we have fellowship one with 
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his 
Son cleanseth us from all sin." As this is 
experienced in any good degree, what a 
unity is felt with all the living, what sym- 
pathy, what harmony, what salutations of 
love unfeigned ; not only to particulars, but 
also to the whole family and heritage of 
God! 

We may esteem, value, and regard one 
another as men, according to the opinion 
we conceive of each other's excellence, as 
I do thee for brightness^ wit 3 and learning j 

F* 



58 



but attractive as these are, had I beheld in 
my dear friend no higher excellencies than 
these, I should hardly have wished, if it had 
been in my power, to have cultivated an ac- 
quaintance with thee. No ; it is the virtues 
of a hidden life, and the knowledge of one 
another therein, that cement the brother- 
hood, and unite the living members of the 
body, not only to the Holy Head, but unto 
one another; and here, and only here, the 
most excellent parts become truly amiable, 
under the sanctifying operation of that Pow- 
er, which takes them out of the service of the 
natural man, and consecrates them to the 
glory and honour of Him alone, who is the 
Author and Giver of every good and perfect 
gift, and who alone can sanctify it. 

In writing to thee, who knowest and carest 
for the churches, the state of things here 
presents itself: but alas! what can I say; 
I fear the case is too general, both church 
and state inclusive, " Without are fightings, 
and within are fears ;" " abroad the sword 
bereavethj at home there is as death." Yet 
there are, I trust, both here and in most other 
meetings, yea, and amongst those also who 



59 



are not of this fold, those whose concern it ig 
to watch and keep their garments, that so 
they may not be found naked ; although these 
are deeply and frequently baptized, not only 
in the cloud and in the sea, and for the dead, 
but into a deep feeling of that prevailing fa- 
mine, not of bread, but of the refreshing, 
powerful, life-giving word of God. Oh! 
how necessary, and how much to be desir- 
ed, in such a situation of things as this, is 
total, perfect resignation ; and, if happily, we 
might attain unto it, total, perfect dedica- 
tion ; that so we might stand upright in our 
various lots, subjected to the teaching of Di- 
vine Wisdom ; and seeking to the Strong for 
strength, that we might be enabled to bear 
the burdens and discharge the duties He 
might permit or appoint unto us ; and then 
all would be well, and we should be secure 
in His protection, how deep soever He 
might be pleased to lead, into the fellowship 
of His sufferings, such as are made willing 
to be conformable unto His death. 

Great are the commotions that are in the- 
world, great in the earth is the distress of 
nations, and great is the perplexity of many 



60 



exercised minds, who are, at seasons, tossed 
as with a tempest, and not comforted. — 
u Nevertheless, the foundation of God stand- 
eth sure," and this seal forever will remain 
upon it, " The Lord knoweth them that are 
His and these he will preserve, who, like 
righteous Noah, are concerned to enter into 
the ark of His holy covenant ; they shall be 
therein preserved safe, for a .remnant of a 
holy seed, though it may be as on the waters, 
whilst the deluge of His wrath is poured 
forth on a backsliding generation. 

I have written these things in the liberty 
and simplicity in which they have been pre- 
sented to my own mind. I know thou art 
wise, not only to admit of this freedom, but, 
if it can be, to gather any little hint that may 
be profitable, even from the meanest instru- 
ment. 

Our friend Sarah Taylor, who writes to 
thee under this cover, will give thee the 
best account of those circumstances thou 
enquirest after, relating to our worthy friend 
Joseph Harwood. She remembers to have 
heard him relate them, which I do not ; any 
additions to, or improvements of, those frag- 



61 



ments I put together, would be highly pleas- 
ing to me. To preserve the memorial of 
the righteous, seems an act of justice due to 
the living and to the dead ; and particularly 
due in gratitude to Him, who hath been 
their Rock and their Strength, and by whose 
power and goodness they have been led and 
supported, through many tribulations, into 
His glorious kingdom. 

I shall just say, before I conclude, that I 
wish for thee as for myself, an increase of 
every virtue ; and that we may experience, 
as an addition to all other blessings, the 
blessing of a thankful, deeply thankful, and 
truly devoted heart. 

I feel in measure the good- will which truth 
inspires extend to thy family, in which I sa- 
lute them, and wish the virtues and riches of 
it evermore to rest upon them ; that therein 
they may become fruitful to His praise, who 
hath called them to glory and virtue : — par- 
ticularly I wish this for thy son ; may he, 
like good old Jacob, be concerned to seek, 
and favoured to experience, the Divine bless- 
ing to prevail above the blessings " of his 
progenitors, unto the utmost bound of the 



62 



everlasting hills," to rest upon him and on 
his seed for ever. 

I need not tell thee, that to hear from thee 
at convenient seasons, will not only be ex- 
pected and acceptable, but acknowledged 
as a favour, by thy sincerely affectionate 
friend, 

John Thorp. 

Xiettei! XIY. 

To Robert Valentine. 

Manchester, 8th Mo. 15, 1782. 

My dear Friend, 

Understanding thou art likely to be at 
Kendal on first-day next, I could not with 
ease let slip the opportunity of writing, first 
to inform thee we got safe home the eve- 
ning of the day we left thee ; and I think I 
may safely add, we w T ere favoured to return 
in some degree of thankfulness, under the 
covering of Divine peace. 

We were much pleased, nay more than 
pleased, to hear thou hadst a satisfactory 



63 



meeting with friends at Leeds. What can 
we say to these things ! God only is wise y 
and all that He does is right. Oh ! that we 
may carefully endeavour after that perfect 
degree of resignation, that not only bows in 
submission to every dispensation of Divine 
Providence, but that can in every thing give 
thanks. 

I think I know so well 5 my very dear 
friend, the Rock whereon thou standest, and 
its sufficiency to support ; the humility, sim- 
plicity, and dedication of thy heart to be, to 
do, to bear, and suffer all things according 
to the will of God, that it seems to me al- 
most unnecessary to endeavour to express 
that desire and encouragement which I feel 
in my heart for thee, that thou mayst steadi- 
ly persevere therein, even to the end. But 
I am not altogether ignorant of the devices 
of the enemy, nor of the deeply proving ex- 
ercises which attend thee in the course of 
thy ministerial labours and sufferings a- 
mongst a backsliding and rebellious people ; 
and I know something, yea, more than lan- 
guage can express, of those most trying, most 
humiliating seasons, wherein the mind h 



64 



divested of its strength and comfort, and is 
suffered to feel, in an ineffable manner, its 
own weakness and misery. When I con- 
sider these things, my dear friend, together 
with thy advanced age, bodily weakness, 
the perilousness of the present times, thy dis- 
tance from thy near connexions, and the un- 
feeling state of those who, many times$ are 
thy attendants from place to place ; when my 
mind hath been baptized into sympathy 
with thee in feeling these things, my heart 
within me hath been humbled on thy ac- 
count; but yet I neither see nor feel the 
least room for despondency ; on the contra- 
ry, my heart is filled with faith and encour- 
agement for thee. 

We know Him in whom we have believ- 
ed ; that infinite mercy, power, and love, 
are with Him,* and that He is able to keep 
those who have committed themselves unto 
Him. What a blessedness there is in cast- 
ing our care entirely upon Him ! I fully be- 
lieve, I can hardly help saying, I know thou 
dost this, and that therein thou wilt be safe, 
and infallibly experience, to thy everlasting 
comfort, that He, the Lord God Almighty, 



65 



who raised thee up to be His servant, and 
called thee from a distant land to labour in 
this part of His vineyard, will not only sup- 
port thee in His service, and bless the work 
in thy hands, but will assuredly be to thee 
both sword, and bow, and battle-axe ; thy 
shield, and thy exceeding great reward, 

I hope thou wilt not be offended at the 
liberty I have taken to write these things ; 
I have copied them, as carefully as I have 
been able, from the present feelings of my 
heart. 

I should be glad of one line from thee, but 
I know thou writest with much difficulty ; 
however, I hope, when it is well with thee, 
thou wilt remember me. My wife, brother 
Thomas Cash, and Margaret Cooke, unite 
in dear love to thee, with thy affectionate 
loving friend, 

John Thorp. 



g 



66 



To Richard Shackleton. 

Manchester, 10th Mo. 28, 1782. 

My dear Friend, 

I confess that, in my own opinion, I have 
trespassed too much on thy charity and pa- 
tience, in having so long deferred to ac- 
knowledge the receipt of thy very kind and 
welcome letter, dated 2d Mo. 24th. 

I was pleased, nay obliged, by thy com- 
municating to me so freely, seasonable in- 
timations and just remarks respecting the 
nature and support of our discipline : they 
are my own sentiments ; I wish to pay suit- 
able attention to them, but may confess I 
have need often to have the pure mind stir- 
red up, that I may both see and practice that 
which is # required. 

I suppose thou hast met before this time 
with thy brave old countryman, Robert Val- 
entine. He laboured, with great fervency 
and uprightness, amongst us in this place, 
and some of us particularly were much com- 
forted by his company. Martha Routh and 



■4 

.67 



I rode nearly 200 miles to accompany him 
to some meetings in Yorkshire ; and indeed 
I must say, that his zeal, uprightness, and 
honesty, in rendering to all their due, with- 
out partiality, without hypocrisy, or respect 
of persons, were really comfortable, instruc- 
tive and edifying ; and the more so, because 
I have sometimes been afraid these excel- 
lent virtues have been too much wanting, 
even where they ought to have shone with 
the most distinguished lustre. As Robert 
spent eight or nine days in Manchester, he 
can tell thee any thing thou wantest to 
know about us, perhaps better than I can. 
You have got Ruth Fallows too, I understand, 
amongst you, an excellent servant; and Sarah 
Grubb, whom I love in the truth, is now ou 
her way with her husband to your National 
Meeting. Ireland seems to be much fa- 
voured in this way : 1 wish fruits may arise 
equal to the cultivation. 

I will not trouble thee with any account 
of my poverty and weakness ; how insignifi- 
cant I seem to myself, or how mere a cipher 
in society. No matter for this ; I think I 
can say in truth, 1 envy no man's lot. I wish 



68 



for no greater, higher, or other place in the 
divine harmony, than that which unfailing 
Wisdom would form me for ; and so that I 
may be happy enough to gain an establish- 
ment here, I neither ask nor desire more. 

Perhaps it may be as well for me to 
conclude here ; for though I could write 
much, what need is there of it to one who 
knows where all the treasures of Wisdom 
and Knowledge are hid ! and where to wait 
to have them opened, and necessary instruc- 
tion sealed ! I wish, above every thing, for 
myself and for thee, that we may frequently 
enough retire here, and dwell here ; for only 
here is real edification known, and wisdom 
and ability are received to do the will of God. 

In a degree of the Heavenly Father's love, 
I often remember thee, and therein I wish 
to be remembered by thee for good ; in some 
measure whereof, at this time, I salute thee 
and thy family, wishing your prosperity in 
the best things, and an abundant increase 
of heavenly riches. 

From thy truly affectionate friend, 

John Thorp. 



69 



To 

Manchester, 1782. 

If it were in my power to communicate 
to thee my motives for this address, how re- 
luctantly I entered upon it, how willingly I 
would have found myself wholly excused 
from it, how sensible I am of the ungrateful 
task of administering reproof, and how little 
naturally I desire to be " my brother's keep- 
er how much I wish to mind my own busi- 
ness, and heartily despise the character of 
being " a busy-body in other men's matters," 
thou wouldst at least excuse me for giving 
thee the trouble of this letter : but didst thou 
know the power and end of that divine 
love which at seasons I have felt to counter* 
act and overrule all natural reluctance, to 
silence all human reasoning, to baptize in- 
to a deep feeling and care for the things 
of others, for those things which are Jesus 
Christ's, the things which concern His peo- 
ple, His cause and His honour ; how un- 
der the prevailing influence of this love, 



70 



the condition of my brethren hath sometimes 
been brought near to my heart, and therein 
an ardent travail raised for the redemption 
of the whole creation ; didst thou know the 
ineffable nature and principle of this love, 
thou wouldst surely open thy heart to re- 
ceive whatever might be communicated un- 
der its blessed influence. 

And first, it is with me to put thee in mind 
of the uncertainty and transient continuance 
of all human satisfactions. Time is short, 
and it remaineth, that those " who have 
wives be as though they had none " they 
that buy, as though they possessed not," and 
they that plant, as though they did it not ; 
" for the fashion of this world passeth away; 5 ' 
for man hath but a short time to live, his days 
are few, and often full of trouble ; " he com- 
eth forth like a flower, and is cut down ; he 
fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.' ? 
Were it possible for us to secure to ourselves 
the full possession and gratification of all the 
desires of the heart and of the mind, to the 
latest period of existence here, the time 
would soon be over, and what should we do 
in the end thereof? But alas ! how frequent 



71 



and great are the disappointments which at- 
tend those who are devoted to pursue the 
pleasures, profits, and honours, of this perish- 
able world ! what ups and downs attend our 
pilgrimage through time! how many, who 
are brought up in palaces, embrace dung- 
hills, whilst others are raised from a very low 
estate to sit amongst princes ; so that there 
is no certainty of the continuance of any 
sublunary enjoyment, because that He, who 
is the God of heaven and of the whole earth, 
ruleth in the kingdoms of men, and raiseth 
up and pulleth down at His pleasure, that all 
the earth might learn to fear before Him. 

Many who have been tried with seasons of 
prosperity, having departed from the fear of 
the Lord, and not walking humbly and thank- 
fully before Him, have been stripped sud- 
denly of their greatness, and brought into cir- 
cumstances truly humiliating ; and, like the 
abased king of Babylon, have been brought 
to acknowledge to the supreme power and 
wisdom of that God, whose mercies they 
have perverted, that all His " works are truth, 
and His ways judgment; and that those 
who walk in pride He is able to abase." 



72 



Oh! that we might be awakened in time, 
to a sense of our true interest, and danger of 
our standing \ that so we might see the great 
necessity of, and be concerned earnestly to 
apply to the Father of Mercies for, the pre- 
cious gift of that adorable wisdom, which 
directs the mind to God, and is able to pre- 
serve us in a state of humble, upright walk- 
ing before Him, out of all the snares of the 
devil, the lusts of the flesh, and all the pomps 
and vanities of this wicked world. 

And now, having thus far expressed what 
has been presented, and opened the way, 
it seems, at least in my apprehension, in the 
line of duty, to put thee upon consider- 
ing thy religious profession, and the consis- 
tency or otherwise of thy conduct with it ; 
and this I do in a disposition the most un- 
willing to offend ; I do not wish to upbraid 
or irritate, but to stir up the pure mind, and 
that not only for your own sakes, but that 
the occasion of offence and stumbling might 
be removed from others. Oh ! that it was 
thy concern to know and answer the end for 
which the Lord raised us up to be a people, 
and in adorable condescension to set his 



73 



name amongst, that so we might be for a 
remnant of a holy seed, to hold up faithfully 
to the nations the standard of truth and righ- 
teousness, and become as "lights in the 
world," " as the salt of the earth," as way- 
marks to the people, " as a city set on a hill, 
that cannot be hid ; that others, seeing our 
good vyorks, might glorify our Father who is 
in heaven. Now, when the professors of 
this blessed truth walk in the holy light and 
nature of it, under the exercise of the cross 
of Christ, this gracious end is so far answer- 
ed ; and in this sense it is strictly true, that 
no man liveth to himself; our lives have a 
certain influence upon others, as saith our 
blessed Lord, " he that is not with me is 
against me, and he that gathereth not with 
me, scattereth." 

When the virtue of divine light and truth 
first broke forth amongst our predecessors, it 
brought forth its proper effects ; humility, 
meekness, resignation to God, self-denial, 
and universal love, were conspicuous a- 
mongst them. What circumspection, what 
simplicity and moderation, appeared a- 
mongst them ! a life all opposite to the na- 



ft 

lure and spirit of this vain world, by w hich 
the witness in others was reached, and num- 
bers who saw them, did fully acknowledge 
them to be "the seed which the Lord hath 
blessed." Now, since it hath pleased Di- 
vine Wisdom to favour thee with a birthright 
amongst this people ; and, after having ex- 
ercised thee a little in the line of adversity, 
to give thee the desire of thy heart, and turn 
the balance of prosperity in thy favour, w hat 
have been the effects and consequences of 
it? What returns have been offered, of 
love, of gratitude, of humble dedication and 
obedience? What concern to set up thy 
banner in the name of the Lord, and to sup- 
plicate that unmerited Goodness, which, for 
a season, hath appointed thy lot as in a 
southern land, to give thee also springs of wa- 
ter, those sure, nether, inexhaustible springs 
of consolation, which flow from the Divine 
Presence. I do not know, but I am sure 
appearances declare the contrary, (I wish 
they did not,) to the grief of some, and the 
offence of others. 1 do not wish to enter 
into particulars, either of what I have seen 
as to your appearance, or what hath been re~ 



75 



ported of your appearing at public places of 
amusement and dissipation ; but you are 
both of years to consider, that such an ap- 
pearance and conduct are diametrically op- 
posite to the principles you profess, and 
must consequently obstruct every degree of 
fellowship with the most sincere part of the 
body, and will not recommend you to the 
more serious and upright part of the peo- 
ple of any denomination ; and what is worst 
of all, will certainly tend to separate from 
the Divine favour. 

Having written these few hints in a degree 
of simplicity, in which I feel the covering of 
peace, I sincerely recommend them to your 
serious consideration ; and beseech you not 
to stifle conviction, nor slay the Witness in 
yourselves, by which all the hidden things 
of darkness would be brought to light, and 
the line of judgment drawn upon transgres- 
sion ; for by judgment iniquity is purged ; 
that so you might be brought into a life, 
truly serious, by the fear of the Lord, to par- 
take of the fellowship of the living body, 
whose fellowship is with the Holy Head, 
Christ Jesus, That God himself may con- 



76 

tinue and sanctify His mercies towards you, 
and delight to do you good, is the desire 
Himself hath raised at this time in my heart 
for you, from your well-wishing friend, 

John Thorp. 

liettex XVII. 

To Richard Shackleton. 

Manchester, 5th Mo. 24, 1784. 

My dear Friend, 

Under the united influence of gratitude 
and friendship, I now intend, though late, to 
make some reply to the last two letters I re- 
ceived from thee : and truly I can say, the 
whole of them are acceptable to me ; the 
sentiments every-where just, thy hints of 
counsel to me seasonable and wholesome ; 
the account of thy own state acceptable and 
instructive. 

Thou tellest me, that, when thou wast last 
in England, thou wast both at our Monthly 
and Quarterly Meeting, but didst not see 
me ; and then wisely remarkest upon it, that 



77 



circumstances might attend to prevent, 
which thou wast not acquainted with. It is 
true, my dear friend ; but all things are 
known to Him who numbers the hairs of our 
head; and I entirely acquiesce with thee, 
that to stand approved by Hini, is the great 
object at which we should all aim. These 
are so much my sentiments, that I hardly 
know how to go about to excuse myself to 
any mortal. Sometimes, indeed, I look for- 
wards, with some degree of hope, towards 
times of greater enlargement; and I believe 
that, if this be consistent with the Divine al- 
lotment, it will sure enough come to pass in 
His own time. There is little need, in these 
days of lukewarmness and declension, to 
discourage any from going about from place 
to place, and attending distant meetings, un- 
der a profession of supporting the cause of 
truth and righteousness : yet really, when I 
consider the conduct of some amongst us, 
who have travelled much on earth, and yet 
have made but very little progress towards the 
heavenly country ; who have been very fre- 
quent in the attendance of meetings, both 
at home and at a distance^ and yet have 

H 



13 



made no proportionable acquisition of the 
graces and virtues of the heavenly life ; a 
jealousy and fear attends my mind, lest 
many, who move about amongst us, do it 
not upon the right Foundation. In this re- 
mark I have not the least view of the minis- 
try, nor of my friend Richard Shackleton. 

I remember observing, in a former letter, 
that you have been much favoured in Ireland 
with ministerial labour ; this has been the case 
since, still more abundantly. I cannot help 
looking upon it as a spiritual phenomenon 
that merits awful attention. 

I know it will afford my dear friend some 
satisfaction to hear, that a few weeks back, 
in company with my much esteemed friends, 
Martha Routh, and Sarah Reynolds of War- 
rington, I paid a religious visit to the fami- 
lies of friends in three meetings belonging 
to our Monthly Meeting, which service, I 
may thankfully acknowledge, was gracious- 
ly owned, from place to place, by the bless- 
ed Master, to my humbling admiration. 

I suppose you have got, before this time, 
my brother Thomas Cash, and also Isaac 
Gray. I hope their service will be accepta- 



79 



ble ; they have a " good report of all men, 
and of the Truth itself." 

In the salutation of unfeigned love, which 
I feel far oftener than I write, I remain thy 
truly affectionate friend, 

John Thorp. 

lifctUT XYIII. 

To 

Manchester, ~ 

I think I may in sincerity appeal to Him, 
who knows the hearts of all men, that a con- 
cern is often with me, that I might be pre- 
served from intruding myself into the con- 
cerns of my brethren, or ever coming under 
the character of " a busy-body in other men's 
matters." Nevertheless, apprehending my- 
self at times engaged by the best Authority, 
to communicate to others what appears to me 
to be the mind of Christ, a concern is like- 
wise raised on this hand in my heart, that I 
might obtain mercy to be found faithful It 



80 



is from this motive only, that I am at this 
time engaged to hint a little, as I may be 
enabled, what hath been presented before 
my own mind, as I was sitting alone in my 
chamber this evening, my mind being turn- 
ed to consider or look towards the state of 
your family. 

And first, I was lead a little to consider the 
weaknesses and infirmities, which are too 
frequently observed to attend, whilst clothed 
with flesh, the most devoted followers of the 
Holy Jesus; when the holy watch is not 
maintained, when the holy influence is with- 
drawn, they then become weak, and are like 
other men, Thus, they who are dedicated 
to the service of the ministry, and bear as in 
their foreheads the inscription of holiness, 
having to conflict with all the struggles of 
the private soldier, may sometimes manifest 
weaknesses inconsistent with the dignity of 
the holy office; and he, who yet remains to 
be the accuser of the brethren, will not fail, 
where he can, under any disguise, gain ad- 
mittance, exceedingly to expose and mag- 
nify these i and would lead, by little and 
little, to despise the Lord's anointed, to 



81 



u speak evil of dignities/ 5 and lightly to es- 
teem the sacrifices which the Lord hath com- 
manded to be offered in the holy place. 

It is not in my heart to justify, to excuse, 
or extenuate, the failings and imperfections 
of the foremost rank in the Lamb's army. I 
know it deeply behoves them, above all 
others, to walk circumspectly, to make 
straight steps to their feet, to be examples to 
the flock ; and I am verily persuaded there 
are none feel more deeply for their offen- 
ces, none more deeply bowed under the 
humiliating sensibility of their own unwor- 
thiness, none more frequently covered with 
blushing and confusion of face than these. 
I do not want to excuse or explain away their 
failings ; but I want to impress a proper re- 
gard to the dignity of the holy office ; I want 
to revive that ancient precept, " Thoushalt not 
speak evil of the ruler of thy people." God 
forbid, said David, that I should put forth 
my hand against the Lord's anointed. If 
weakness appear, if the enemy prevail in any 
little matter, Oh! "tell it not in Gath, pub- 
lish it not in the streets of Askelon, lest the 
daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the 



82 



daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. 55 
Oh ! did but the people know, were it but 
possible for the uncircumcised to consider, 
the secret travail of their spirits ; the pain- 
fully distressing conflicts which these have 
passed through, and which yet await them : 
how often they have wandered in the wil- 
derness, " with their hands upon their loins 
as a woman in travail ; 55 what they have to 
pass through in the weeks of preparation, 
while eating the roll of prophecy, and lying 
on their sides: how often such now are 
covered with sackcloth, and have secretly 
to muse on the contents of the roll, wherein 
is written " lamentations, and mourning and 
wo ; 55 w 7 ere it possible, I say, for such, who 
are yet whole, not having yet fallen upon 
that Stone which the Lord hath laid in Sion 
for a foundation, and been thereby broken, 
and enabled to offer the sacrifices of a bro- 
ken heart ; were it possible for those, who 
have not trodden the arduous path of re- 
generation, to consider these things, they 
would not need to be reminded to mark such 
whom the Lord had set over them, to es- 
teem them very highly, to honour them with 



83 



double honour for the work's sake, because 
" they watch for your souls, as they that must 
give account" in the day of the Lord Jesus, 
Permit me to express some degree of 
jealousy, lest, instead of this esteem, regard, 
and double honour, there is a murmuring, 
unthankful, gainsaying spirit, which is for 
condemnation; for, whilst I was musing on 
these things, the exceedingly unhappy case 
of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, was brought 
into and affected my mind; and the lan- 
guage of their complaint was brought to my 
remembrance: u Ye take too much upon 
you, seeing all the congregation are holy, 
every one of them, and the Lord is among 
them ; wherefore then lift you up yourselves 
above the congregation of the Lord ?" Thus, 
through the seduction of him who u blinded 
their eyes, and hardened their heart," they 
murmured against the meekest of all men, and 
the friend of God. Ah ! poor return this, for 
all that good and deliverance which he, as an 
instrument, had wrought for them, in bring- 
ing them out of Egypt, in bearing them in 
his bosom, and so frequently and availingly 
interceding for them with the Almighty. 



84 



But the Lord pleaded for him against these 
men, and destroyed them by a remarkable 
destruction. I mention this instance as it 
simply arose, without any charge or applica- 
tion, leaving that to the Divine Witness in 
your bosoms, to which I recommend every 
one of you, in order that you may be ena- 
bled, to reap the caution and benefit intend- 
ed by these broken hints, and remain, with 
suitable affection and regard, your friend, 

John Thorp. 



lirttra XIX. 
To 

Manchester, 10th Mo. 26, 1786. 

My dear Friend, 

I am obliged to thee for the particular 

account of the state of the church in 

though, alas! it is a very poor one ; and I am 
afraid such is the case too generally amongst 
us every- where. Why it is so, the cause is as 
obvious as are the effects the people have 



85 



forsaken the Lord, and gone after other gods ; 
and therefore it is that the Lord's heritage is 
become desolate, and a the daughter of Sion 
covered with a cloud." Yet, however dis- 
couraging the present situation of things 
may appear; however affecting the prevailing 
desolations, so that the standard bearers may 
be ready to faint, and like poor Elijah, may 
be ready to think and conclude that they 
only are left, and their lives also are in dan- 
ger, I do believe there is not only left a " se- 
ven thousand" amongst us, "all the knees 55 
of whom have hot bowed to Baal, and eve- 
rv mouth" of whom "hath not kissed him," 
but I do believe the Lord, in unfailing 
mercy, is bringing His work again upon 
the wheel, and that he will yet more and 
more effectually revive it, as " in the midst 
of the years." So that I would not have us 
to be discouraged ; I believe the Lord would 
not have us to be discouraged, neither grow 
weary, nor faint in our minds : but rather, 
let the hands that hang down be lifted up, 
and the feeble knees confirmed ; for the 
Lord is remembering Sion; He will rebuild 
her waste places, so that she shall yet be- 



86 



come the " perfection of beauty, and the joy 
of the whole earth." u Therefore rejoice ye 
with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye 
that love her; rejoice for joy with her, all 
ye that mourn for her, that ye may suck and 
be satisfied with the breasts of her consola- 
tion; that ye may milk out and be delight- 
ed with the abundance of her glory." 

The cause is not ours ; " if thou dost well, 
shall thou not be accepted ?" Let others 
do what they will ; let them choose and wor- 
ship what gods they please, " as for me and 
my house we will serve the Lord let us 
thus consider and resolve. What ! though 
many are offended in Christ, and draw back 
from following Him, shall we also go away? 
God forbid this should ever be the case with 
any who have known Him, and that with 
Him are the rewards of eternal life. 

Oh that we might be encouraged to per- 
severe in faithfulness, under every permitted 
dispensation, whether to ourselves or to the 
church of Christ ? Leaving the effects and 
consequences of things to Him, who hath 
the control of times and seasons, let us be 
resigned to our various allotments, and not 



87 



murmur at the cup which the Father hath 
given us. Remember, we are but servants 
and stewards; that it will be enough for us, 
if we be found faithful. What! though that 
part of the vineyard be u npleasant to labour in ; 
though there be not many mighty works to be 
done, because of unbelief; though the fields 
should not be white unto harvest, but rather 
the fallow ground want ploughing up, that 
the thorns and briers may be consumed ; 
nay, though none should believe our report, 
and "though Israel be not gathered," those 
who have been careful to abide in their lo* , 
who have been attentive to the voice of the 
true Shepherd, and given the people warn- 
ing from Him, " shall be glorious in the eyes 
of the Lord, and their God shall be their 
strength." 

I wish thee to let — see this ; 

I may acknowledge he has been much in my 
view whilst I have been writing ; for, though 
he is personally a stranger to me, yet my heart 
hath been filled with earnest prayer for his pre- 
servation in the right way of the Lord ; that 
" neither things present, nor things to come, 
nor height, nor depth," may ever be able to 



88 



beguile him of his reward, or frustrate, in any 
measure, the gracious intentions of the Al- 
mighty concerning him. 

I wish for thee, my dear friend, careful, 
reverent attention, and humble obedience 
to every manifestation of duty; and that 
hereby thou mayst increase in true riches. 
I am thy affectionate friend, 

John Thohp. 



XifcttCT XX. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

7th Mo. 8, 178T. 

My dear Friend, 

I think I do, as seldom as any man who 
w ishes well to the cause of religion and vir- 
tue, recommend it by books, though I do be- 
lieve, if people would read such as deserve 
reading, as thou sayst with a desire to profit, 
they would always reap some benefit. My 
reading now, not only from necessity but 
judgment, is pretty much confined. With 



89 



respect to all the forbidden productions of 
the tree of knowledge, I have seen a beauty 
and safety in that state of mind expressed 
by the psalmist, and earnestly have I desir- 
ed to dwell in it : " Lord, 1 do not exercise 
myself in things too high for me ; my soul is 
even as a weaned child." The Scriptures 
without, and the law written in the heart, 
lare the most profitable of all books, and in 
meditating on the Divine precepts written 
there, with a desire to obey, the most bless- 
ed knowledge is obtained. 

May that Mercy and Goodness, my dear 
friend, by which thou hast been visibly fol- 
lowed, and preserved from the intoxicating 
influence of prosperity and affluence, con* 
tinue to prepare and fill thy heart with re- 
deeming Love> and enable thee more and 
more to increase in " bags which wax not 
old," " eternal in the heavens." 
I am thy affectionate friend, 

John Thorp. 



i 



90 



Tuettei! XXI. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 8th Mo. 15, 1787. 

My dear Friend, 

I think I should not do justice to the 
book of letters which thou wast so kind as to 
lend me, and which I now return, if I did 
not acknowledge that my heart was affected 
in reading several passages in it. The au- 
thor's dedication, and upright zeal and jea- 
lousy for the glory of God, and for the ever 
blessed Jesus, felt precious to my heart. I 
do think, there is no one, who has a spark of 
goodness in him, who can read her work 
without some benefit ; and though I think her 
piety exceeded her religious understanding, I 
have no manner of doubt concerningher, and 
all such as she was, under every name, but 
that they are numbered among the children 
of God, and have their lot among the saints. 

Do not think, my dear friend, I am recom- 
mending books too highly. Every thing is 
good in its place ; but I wish for thee, as for 
myself, that we may have in our possession 



91 



the truth itself, and that we may wait (that 
best of exercises) to feel when it shall please 
the Lord to replenish our hearts with that 
light and virtue which come from Him, the 
mysteries of His kingdom opened in ourselves. 
The Lord Almighty would, in great mercy, 
by various means, prepare us for and engage 
us to seek after, those Divine communica- 
tions from Him, the Fountain itself, where- 
in " are hid all the treasures of wisdom and 
knowledge." Thus we should experience 
another kind of teaching, and another kind of 
knowledge, than that which books or out- 
ward instruction can furnish us with. 

I long, my dear friend, that we may grow 
and increase in the knowledge and expe- 
rience of that Divine communication, from 
the Fountain of Divine intelligence, and 
with one another in Him, which standeth in 
10 need of the medium of words or writing, 
md in which the communion of saints doth 
eternally consist. 

Under some measure of the influence of 
the Heavenly Father's love, I sincerely wish 
thy prosperity in the best things, and re- 
main thy affectionate friend, 

John Thorp. 



92 



lietUT XXII. 

To Richard Shackleton. 

Manchester, 12th Mo. 25, 1787. 

My dear Friend, 

With all who, like thee, have leisure 
and talents at command, the common apo- 
logy for delay in writing — the want of op- 
portunity, is likely to meet with little credit ; 
and yet, if that has not hindered me from 
communicating to thee by letter, what I 
should often have rejoiced to have spoken 
to thee, if present, I cannot tell what has. 
Dear Rebecca Wright used to acknowledge 
another impediment, and say she was too 
proud to write, intimating that her perform- 
ance did her no honour. I do not know if 
pride has much influence over me in these 
respects ; but I do believe it operates very 
differently on different minds, with regard 
to writing, and may, for ought I know, have 
worse consequences in prompting some to 
write, than others to be silent. I have no 
view, however, to discourage communica- 
tions of this kind, when the streams are not 



93 



impure. For my part, I freely confess, it 
affords to me a highly grateful and pleasing 
satisfaction ; and the want of an opportuni- 
ty to enjoy and cultivate it, where I see a 
disposition homogeneous to my own, is not 
the least or lightest of the crosses I endea- 
vour patiently to bear. 

My feelings and sentiments of friendship 
are much above my outward condition ; and 
though I do not murmur, I am almost tempt- 
ed to it, when I consider what opportunities 
it deprives me of enjoying in the company 
of my dearest friends ; and how little I can 
help those in distress, for whom I feel the 
deepest sympathy. Think of this, and be 
thankful, you whose lot is in a southern land ; 
yes, and let me consider it, and be thankful 
too, as appointed by Him who only is wise 
For these light afflictions are but for a mo- 
ment ; and truly my mind is frequently rais - 
ed above them, looking forwards in hope ? 
towards that blissful state, when all the bane- 
ful shackles of mortality shall be put off, and 
the children of the kingdom meet in Him, 
who is the centre of unity, beyond the limits 
of time and space, no more to be separated* 



94 



My youngest child died whilst I was in 
London, and my wife did not choose to bury 
her until my return, which hastened my de- 
parture from thence, and deprived me of the 
opportunity of taking a satisfactory farewell 
of my friends. 

The candlesticks were to be made of pure 
gold, of beaten work. I am sure I never saw 
more need in my life, that they should be 
made of beaten work, that they may bear 
tossing and hammering, without being bro- 
ken or spoiled. And oh ! how necessary it 
appears to me, that there should be an in- 
crease of skill, care, and necessary qualifica- 
tions, in those who may be considered as 
snuffers or hammers. I cannot express the 
pain and jealousy that fills my mind, with 
respect to this class in our Society ; there is 
so much want of bowels, sympathy, and of 
that love that edifies, that I really fear, in- 
stead of being like pillars, waymarks, and 
standard-bearers, supporting the hands that 
are ready to hang down, they are, in too 
many places, as dead weights in our assem- 
blies ; and, like the false and idle shepherds 
formerly, are more solicitous to fill them* 



95 



selves with the bread that perishes, than the 
flock with that which nourishes the soul up 
unto eternal life. 

Well ! my dear friend, in proportion to the 
pain and suffering I sometimes feel, on ac- 
count of the elders I have thus described, 
who, like the fruitless fig-tree, do but cumber 
the ground, I rejoice in those who are alive, 
and labouring for, and measurably possess- 
ing, those qualifications which enable them 
to discharge the important duties of their 
office, to their own peace and the edification 
of the churches. Oh ! the almost infinite 
service such might, nay would be of, if they 
were but enough devoted, did but enough 
dwell under the efficacious influence of that 
love, in which Christ died for us. How 
would this quicken us to diligence, and ena- 
ble us to labour for the good of our brethren. 
But, for want of this, how indifferent we be- 
come with regard to others ! or, if otherwise, 
however active, if not under the influence of 
Divine love, it is but like fruits brought forth 
in the shade. Oh ! the beauty and benefit 
of words fitly spoken, and in season. " As 
an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine 



96 



gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient 
ear." Thus, my dear friend, thou, - who art 
called into this line of labour in the vineyard, 
and hast received suitable qualifications for 
the work, being also providentially disen- 
tangled from the cares of this life, " Be so- 
ber, be vigilant." "Whatsoever thy hands 
find to do, do it with thy might." " Cast 
thy bread upon the waters." Be not dis- 
couraged at the appearance of things. u He 
that observeth the wind shall not sow, and 
he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap." 
u In the morning sow thy seed, and in the 
evening withhold not thine hand ; for thou 
knowest not whether shall prosper, either this 
or that, or whether they both shall be alike 
good." 

Thy friends here are tolerably well in 
health, except dear Martha Routh, who at 
present is but poorly as to the body ; the 
other part of the compound in that good wo- 
man, is, I believe, always improving. John 
Routh and his sister visibly grow older, but 
still move a little about; she (I hope both of 
them) seems w r isely attentive to improve the 
golden sands, that so her measure may be 



97 



completely filled up. Through great mer- 
cy, we live in true unity, which I hope will 
never be broken. 

Believe me to be invariably^ thy sincere 
and affectionate friend, 

John Thorp. 



Xiettei! XXIII. 
To — 

3d Mo. 22, 1788. 

Being, contrary to my expectation and 
endeavours, prevented from attending the 

ensuing Monthly Meeting at , of which 

I was the more desirous, for the same reason 
that I hoped, and still hope, thou wilt be 
there ; I find freedom, and that, I trust, after 
having maturely considered it, with a desire 
to do right, to communicate to thee what 
passed in my mind, long before I knew or 
expected that would have happened which 
prevents me. 

It hath not been usual with me to think 
beforehand of the affairs likely to come be- 



98 



fore such a meeting : but the mention made 

by the friends of , of the application 

of a certain person to be admitted a member 
of our Society, occurred again and again to 
my mind, and connected with it the parable 
of the " leaven which a woman took and 
hid in three measures of meal, till the whole 
was leavened." It was hidden ; but its ope- 
ration, though secret, was gradual and pro- 
gressive, till there was a total assimilation. 
" Till the whole was leavened," the process 
was from within to without ; the exterior 
part was the last affected, the last whose ap- 
pearance was altered ; but though the last, 
it was as completely changed as the rest ; 
" the whole was leavened." 

This seemed to convey instruction to my 
own mind, as setting forth the prior necessity 
of an inward change, for the proper regula- 
tion of the outward deportment. I thought, 
too, it might be applied not improperly to 
the case, nor, perhaps, unprofitably to the 
consideration of the party alluded to. I do 
not doubt his having been sensible of the 
secret influence of the Divine principle in 
his own conscience, or that his judgment has 



99 



been measurably convinced by the testi- 
monies he has heard borne to the truth, as 
professed by us as a people. I as little 
doubt the sincerity of his desire to be con- 
sidered as one believing in the same prin- 
ciple, and desirous to walk by the same rule ; 
but, rather than he should desire a prema- 
ture admission, I hope he will not be offend- 
ed, if I recommend to his serious conside- 
ration, whether there is yet that thorough 
conviction, that perfect harmony of faith 
and practice, as would justify the conclu- 
sion that " the whole" is leavened : for, 
as he that believeth will not make haste, so 
a waiting for the right time, when perfect 
unity will be experienced, will not retard his 
growth in the truth, nor lessen the tender re- 
gard of his friends towards him, or the peace 
of his own mind. 

I desire to be as brief as possible. I have 
nothing but good-will in my heart towards 
him, and if, under the influence of that Wis- 
dom which alone, in such cases, is profitable 
to direct, Friends shall admit him a member 
of the Society, I shall freely give him the 
right hand of fellowship, and desire to be his 



100 

companion in the regeneration and in new- 
ness of life. 

John Thorp. 

Xiettwc XXIT, 

To Richard Shackleton. 

Manchester, 10th Mo. 4, 1789 

My dear Friend, 

I cannot let slip this opportunity of con* 
veying a few lines to thee, by the favour of 
our truly valuable friend Martha Routh ; and 
though such is the present barrenness and 
poverty of my mind, that I hardly seem able 
to form a sentence, yet, presuming upon thy 
charity, and the terms of our friendship, (for 
better and for worse,) I will first begin at 
home, and acquaint thee that all my family, 
and thy friend, are favoured with health ; 
and it is, and I hope always will be, inte* 
resting and grateful intelligence to me, to 
hear the same account of thee and thine. 
Please to give my love to all thy family* 



101 



especially to that daughter, I know not het 
name, who, I have heard, has lately ap- 
peared in a few words in your meetings ; 
though a stranger at this distance, I feel 
something like sympathy with her, and a 
degree of solicitude attends my mind for her 
preservation, and that she may grow from 
" strength to strength," and increase in eve- 3 
ry good word and work, to an establishment 
upon that unfailing Rock, whereon they only 
can build, who hear the sayings of Christ 
and do them. 

I have a mind to tell thy daughter a dreamy 
for he that has one, thou knowest, the pro- 
phet says, may tell it, though I have told this 
to very few. It is a dream I had the night 
before I first appeared in a few words in a 
meeting, though I may say, what afterwards 
I was very thankful for, that though it made 
some impression on my mind in the morn* 
ing, I did not once think of it whilst I was 
in the meetings I thought I was intently 
engaged with some others, in some outward 
business, when, all on a sudden, a message 
was communicated by Divine authority, but 
I knew not well from whence the voice pro- 

K 



102 



ceeded; however, the words I heard dis- 
tinctly to this purpose : u Cease, or thou 
must cease, from the business thou art now 
engaged in ; there is another work for thee to 
do ; for the Lord is about to work a more 
thorough reformation in the earth than any 
which hath hitherto taken place to which 
I thought I answered, — " Alas ! how is it 
possible that I can be of any service in, or 
contribute to this work, being so exceeding- 
ly poor, and destitute of every degree of 
strength and ability to do it and indeed I 
thought I felt myself so, when I spoke it, 
as much as ever in my life ; unto which I 
thought the voice replied, — " Thy strength 
and ability will not be required ; this work 
can only be effected by the strength and 
power of God." Perhaps this may be some 
little encouragement ; it is with that view 1 
write it, that we should not sink under the 
feeling of our own insufficiency and weak- 
ness, but, in a state of humble dedication 
to the Fountain of all sure help, have our 
whole dependence and expectation from 
Him, whose is the work, " the power, the 
kingdom, and the glory. Amen." 



103 



It will be news to tell thee, that I intend 
going for Lancaster to-morrow, to our Quar- 
terly Meeting. I have been several little 
journeys on religious occasions, since I saw 
thee in Manchester ; and can tell thee truly, I 
have ever been favoured to return in hum- 
bling gratitude and peace. 

I have heard of thy good works, in going 
about here and there to sit with Friends in 
distant meetings. This is doing wisely ; it 
is making the best use of time. Oh! how 
precious is that council of the wise man, 
" Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it 
with thy might." This is the way to serve 
our generation with faithfulness, and to secure 
that most desirable answer at last, when our 
accounts are given in 5 " Well done, good and 
faithful servant." 

I am, my dear friend, in much nearness 
and affection, with a heart filled with de- 
sires for thy present and everlasting welfare, 
thy loving and true friend, 

John Thorp. 



104 



liette* XXY. 

To Elizabeth Rathbone. 

Manchester, 7th Mo. 19, 1790. 

My dear Friend, 

A degree of solicitude has, at times, 
attended my mind, for thy preservation, ari- 
sing, I believe, from the love of " my Fa- 
ther and thy Father, of my God and thy 
God and therein, as my mind was led this 
morning to look towards thee, a hint, or 
word or two, like counsel, which I think 
right to communicate, presented itself to 
my mind: — Be quiet, abide in the holy 
patience, and let it have its perfect work, 
that thou mayst " be perfect and entire, 
wanting nothing." 

Let us remember, my dear friend, (I have 
need awfully to remember it,) that the sac- 
rifice of our will, as a whole burnt offering, is 
what the Lord is requiring of us : and is, in- 
deed the root or essence of that life that must 
be given up, if we would be the disciples of 
Christ, who came not to do His own will, 
but the will of Him that sent Him : and it 



1 05 



Is only in this state of resignation that we 
can pray to " our Father which art in hea- 
ven, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done 
in earth as it is in heaven. " 

It is an acceptable thing to the Lord, to 
keep the word of His patience: "Because 
thou hast kept the word of my patience, 
(said the Lord to the church of Philadel- 
phia,) I also will keep thee from the hour of 
temptation. " I long for thee, my dear friend, 
that thou mayst be preserved in patient re- 
signation and dedication to the Lord ; and 
therein abide all the varied dispensations 
and turnings of His holy hand, that so thou 
mayst be formed by Him, a vessel to Hi? 
praise. Look not back; but 1 have no jea- 
lousy that thou wilt do this, but look not for- 
ward either, with too much anxiety or de- 
sire to explore the Divine purpose : ci suffi- 
cient unto the day is the evil thereof. 55 

Thus I wish thy patient perseverence, un- 
der the exercise of the blessed cross of 
Christ, and endurance in the furnace, and 
under the forming of His holy hand; and 
when the dross is purged from the silver^ 
" there shall come forth a vessel for the Finer v 



108 



Therefore, it is in my heart to say, however 
deeply thou mayst be tried, still look to Him, 
who is " touched with the feeling of our in- 
firmities," on w 7 hom all sure and sufficient 
help is laid ; " who, for the joy that was set 
before Him, endured the cross, despising 
the shame, and is set down at the right hand 
of the throne of God." 

Let this be thy continual care, to have 
thy whole dependence on Him, who hath 
laid down His life for thy redemption, and 
who, blessed be His name, hath by His al- 
lurements brought thee into the wilderness, 
that He might speak to thy heart, as He 
hath done to many of us, in mercy that can 
never be sufficiently adored, whose souls, 
in very early age, He has ravished, as 
with one of His looks, with one chain of His 
neck ; therefore have some of us been made 
willing to forsake all and follow Him, whom 
our souls loved, because He first \oned us." 
As thy expectation is from Him alone, I feel 
an assurance that He will have thee in 
His keeping, that the " bruised reed He 
will not break, and the smoaking flax He 
will not quench ; till He send forth judgment 



107 



unto victory but that He will sanctify 
every dispensation to thee, and thee unto 
Himself, and so fully accomplish in thee all 
His pleasure ; which is the present prayer 
of thy sincerely affectionate friend, 

John Thorp, 

IieUet XXYI. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 1st Mo. 15, 1791. 

My dear Friend, 

There is, I believe, an obligation to du- 
ty, above the fear of punishment or expec- 
tation of reward ; and because I wish thee 
the most perfect state, I wish thee this ex- 
perience : — a state wherein all selfishness, 
both in spiritual and temporal things, is lost 
or swallowed up by divine, universal, disin- 
terested love, as a drop of water in the ocean. 
And though I do most assuredly believe, 
that virtue is its own reward, that a cup of 
cold water, given to a disciple in the name 
of a disciple, shall not go without a rew 7 ard ; 



108 



yet I have often thought it a subject worthy 
the consideration of those who are stew ards, 
and desire to be faithful, that this is neither 
the time nor place of rewards or punish- 
ments, though perhaps the earnest of both 
is frequently felt 

I apprehend that many, even of the wise 
in heart, have been ready to stumble here, 
thinking that their faithfulness and piety 
should have engaged the Divine interposi- 
tion, to exempt them from the sufferings of 
this present life ; so thought (it is likely) 
Brutus, who, when overcome by Antony, in 
a cause wherein he thought virtue had enga- 
ged him, is said, with his latest breath, to 
have expressed this desponding exclama- 
tion, " Oh virtue ! I have followed thee as a 
substantial good, but I find thee only an 
empty name." How much of this appears 
m the book of Job, whose trials were as sin- 
gular and great as his conduct had been up- 
right and approved ! and David tells us, 
" that his steps had well nigh slipped, be- 
cause he envied the prosperity of the wick- 
ed when he saw how they flourished, like 
a green bay-tree, and contemplated the se- 



109 



vere trials that were permitted or appointed 
unto him, he was ready to conclude he had 
washed his hands in innocency for nought* 
Nay, time would fail to recount the suffer- 
ings, the trials, and probations that have at- 
tended the peculiar heritage of God in all 
generations ; their great privilege, it is plain, 
hath ever been, Divine support and preser- 
vation under trials, and not an exemption 
from them. How great and various were 
the troubles and trials that attended the good 
old patriarchs, and how singular and proving 
those that were experienced by the man af- 
ter God's own heart, whose son even con- 
spired to take away his life ; but He, who is 
a God keeping covenant and mercy, vouch- 
safed His protection and sure support, and 
was to him, in all his troubles, a rock, a re- 
fuge, and a sure hiding-place. 

Whilst I am writing, I wish for thee, my 
dear friend, beyond all that can be expressed, 
that this may be thy happy experience, if 
trials of any sort be permitted to attend thee ; 
for though I know not how applicable, or 
otherwise, any thing of this sort may be to 
thy present state, yet this I know, that there 



110 



is no combination of outward circumstances 
can exempt us from trouble, though we tread 
upon the high places of the earth, and dip 
our feet in oil ; but in the most proving situ- 
ations, though some encouragement, instruc- 
tion, and consolation may be derived from 
considering what hath been the lot, and what 
the support, of many elder brethren in the 
family, who, through many tribulations, have 
entered the kingdom, yet the most sovereign 
help and comfort is obtained by looking unto 
Jesus, who was " a man of sorrows and ac- 
quainted with grief," whose " visage was so 
marred, more than any man, and His form 
more than the sons of men ;" who, being 
" touched with the feeling of our infirmi- 
ties," and having been tempted, knows how 
to succour those who are tempted. 

Let us, then, my dear friend, in our varied 
allotments, lay asside every weight and bur- 
den, and "run with patience the race that is 
set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author 
and finisher of our faith, who, for the joy that 
was set before Him, endured the cross, des- 
pising the shame, and is set down at the 
right hand of the throne of God." 



Ill 



I would not make any unnecessary addi- 
tion, but I am so fully satisfied that it is not 
the will of our Father, who is in heaven, that 
any of His children should be discouraged^ 
under whatever disadvantage, in their own 
apprehension, they may be placed, or what- 
ever cup they may have to drink, or baptism 
to pass through ; but that they should be en- 
couraged to put their trust in Him, to cast 
their care upon Him. None, who ever did 
so, ever w r here or ever will be confounded. 
Oh ! let nothing move us from this Founda- 
tion, and we shall be safe. Oh ! how me- 
morable is that declaration of David, " The 
Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want and 
again, " Thou art with me, Thy rod and 
Thy staff they comfort me." Thus in heights 
and depths, in seasons of trial and of rejoicing, 
let our whole dependence, our humble trust 
and confidence, be in and upon the sure 
mercy of God in Christ Jesus ; and then, I 
am sure, He wdll sanctify all His dispensa- 
tions to thee ; that He will bless thee in- 
deed ; and that, as it hath pleased Him to 
appoint thy lot as in " a south land," so He 
will also continue, as He hath in mercy 



112 



hitherto at seasons done, to give thee 
u springs of water," yea, the sure, nether^ 
inexhaustible springs of consolation that 
flow from His presence. 

I -am thy sincere, affectionate friend, 

John Thorp. 



To Richard Shackleton, 

Manchester, 3d Mo. 18,1791 

My dear Friend, 

Though I have for some time, and often 
of late, thought of writing to thee, yet some- 
how T , I have so little aptitude to the business, 
that I am not prepared with one single sen- 
tence to begin with. It is true, I could tell 
thee that I do feel an increasing nearness 
and regard for thee ; and, if I am not mis- 
taken, it is on that Foundation that will en- 
dure for ever. And in the spiritual rela- 
tion as a brother, I have comfort in thy re- 
membrance of me, and wish for thee an in- 
crease of all spiritual blessings in Christ 



113 



I wish, I hope sincerely, that every birth 
in the ministry thou hast mentioned, that is 
of the heavenly Father's begetting, may live, 
and grow, and prosper, and bring forth fruit 
to His praise. Here will be work for you 5 
who are fathers and elders in the church, to 
endeavour to bring them forward healthfully* 
to enter into sympathy with them, to feel 
and care for them, and in the gentle wisdom 
and love of Christ, to communicate freely 
such hints of caution and counsel as may 
appear necessary, not in the deadness of 
formality, not in the authority of office, not 
under the influence of partiality, or the w is- 
dom of this world, which shall come to 
nought, but in the meekness and gentleness 
of Christ. This will be most likely to con- 
tribute to the preservation of all that should 
live. I do not like too much dressing, and 
pruning and nursing ; I think little good hath 
ever come of it ; neither do I approve that 
conduct in young ministers, that^ like spoil* 
ed children, run to complain of every pain 
and exercise that may attend them. It 
would, I believe, be far more profitable for 
Ihem, to keep their attention inward) to pon- 

L 



114 



tier these experiences, arid ask wisdom, 
strength, and counsel, of Him, who " giveth 
liberally, and upbraideth not." 

It should ever be remembered, as instruc- 
tion for those who judge of the ministry, that 
" there are diversities of gifts, but the same 
Spirit ; and differences of administrations, 
but the same Lord and that this diversity 
is so almost infinitely great, that we can hard- 
ly tell when we have made sufficient allow T - 
ance for it. There is a vast variety, thou 
knowest, in the flowers of the field; how 
abundantly does the carnation or the rose ex- 
cel the daisy ; and yet every one of these pos- 
sesses a distinct beauty, and unites in the 
general incense, or the display of their Crea- 
tor's power. What a variety in the notes 
and songs of the birds of the wood ! what a 
difference between the sparrow and the night- 
ingale ! and yet we know who it is that careth 
for the sparrows ; and do they not all increase 
the general harmony ? Let not then the small- 
est gifts ever be despised, or their cultivation 
and improvement neglected. It was said to 
him who had improved the two talents, and 
would no doubt have been said to him who 



115 



had received but one, had he improved if, 
as well as to him who had received and im- 
proved the five, — " Well done, thou good and 
faithful servant : enter thou into the joy of thy 
Lord. 55 

Give my love to thy daughter ; I feel a 
sympathy and care for all who are called to 
service in the Lamb's army, and are desirous 
to move on the right Foundation. O ! that 
all such would abide in the patience, and 
under the clothing of humility ; and in a 
dedication of heart, under the exercise of 
the cross, faithfully do the will of their 
Heavenly Father, and " be content with 
their wages. 55 I am apprehensive the enemy 
has greatly injured many, by secretly work- 
ing in the unrenewed nature, and leading 
them to expect, or to do, great things ; 
whereas it would be right for such " to 
study to be quiet, 55 to abide in simplicity, to 
u take no thought for the morrow r ; 55 but, in 
singleness of heart, attend to the requisitions 
of the present moment. And let us ever es- 
teem it a rich reward, to be favoured with 
the evidence of peace in our own bosoms : 
this will be found of infinite value, in a 
solemn, hastening hour. 



116 



I am persuaded, that many who have 
been called to the work of the ministry, and 
who have appeared, for a short time, fresh 
and lively in a few words in our meetings, 
and afterwards have dwindled and wither- 
ed as " the grass on the house-top," have 
suffered this great loss principally for w ant 
of dedication to the altar. Some such, per- 
hapSj being tempted to think that the little 
committed to their care was hardly w 7 orth 
improvement ; that it was not likely to edify 
the people, but it may be rather to be des- 
pised, and that it procured to themselves no 
honour ; but that, if they had received talents 
like some others, they would have been will- 
ing to occupy with them. Thus, indeed, I 
fear that many, w T hom the Lord has raised 
up amongst his people, for Nazarites and for 
prophets, have, through entering into this 
sort of reasoning with the serpent, been be- 
guiled of their reward ; and, instead of be- 
ing fixed, as stars of different magnitudes, in 
the firmament of the Lord's power, have, 
through the pride and subtlety of the ser- 
pent, been drawn down to the earth. I had 
no thoughts of writing so much on this sub- 



117 



ject; but, under a sense of its importance, 
I often feel a strong desire that all, who are 
called to any degree of stewardship of the 
grace of God, might happily obtain mercy 
to be found faithful, that in the solemn day 
of reckoning, they might give in their ac- 
count with joy. 

Our ancient, respected, honourable friend, 
John Routh, departed this life the 31st of 1st 
month. He had a short illness, (about four 
days) attended with little pain ; and we had, 
I hope, the best reason to believe that he 
was favoured to depart in peace. His sis- 
ter bears this event in a manner truly Chris- 
tian; she is herself but feeble, and in so 
weak a state of health as does a little alarm 
our fears. 

My wife unites in the salutation of un- 
feigned love to thyself and whole family 
with thy affectionate friend, 

John Thorp* 



118 



liettre XXTIII. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 1st Mo. 22, 1793, 

My dear Friend, 

I have often, of late, felt something like 
the salutation of love moving in my mind to- 
wards thee, in which I wish thee both natural 
and spiritual health ; and as there is no medi- 
cine that can be prescribed or taken, equal 
to wholesome food and exercise for the pre- 
servation of bodily health, so, I believe, that 
by this means also our spiritual health is 
best preserved. But we may observe some 
people, as to the outward, whose constitution 
is not bad, yet feeling some slight indispo- 
sition, would rather have recourse to medi- 
cine, or give themselves up to the feeling 
of their infirmities, than employ the strength 
they have in necessary exercise, and con- 
tent themselves with such food as would be 
most profitable for them. 

Something like this I apprehend to be the 
case with some religious characters, who, at- 
tending too much to every little feeling of 



119 



weakness, and comparing themselves with 
others, whose gifts and callings maj^ be very 
different to theirs, (though not at all more 
acceptable to God, or more accordant to His 
will) are ready to be discouraged^ and count 
themselves fit for nothing ; whereas the Lord 
is only glorified by our obedience, in that 
station in which he hath placed us ; so that, 
let the sphere of our activity be what it may, 
let the orbs in which we are placed be high 
or low in human estimation, let our gifts or 
callings be less or more conspicuous and 
admired by our fellow-pilgrims, those who 
are faithful and honest in their varied allot- 
ments, and seeking nothing for themselves, 
but to bring glory to God by a life of humble 
dedication to Him ; these, however they 
may have been regarded amongst men, and 
however they may, at times, be ready to 
judge of themselves, will finally meet with 
an equal welcome from the blessed Master^ 
as approved, good, and faithful servants. 
Oh! how wisely then do they act, who, 
taking no anxious thought for to-morrow, 
are attentive, according to present ability, 
to the duties of the present day ; who, satis- 



120 



fied with their own allotment of suffering, of 
exercise, of consolation and labour, cheer- 
fully comply with the Divine appoint- 
ment. These neither desire more nor fewe r 
talents than what they have received, but, 
wisely occupying with those which they 
have received, experience an improvement. 

I hardly know how to put into words what 
I have in view to recommend, and what I 
am favoured, at seasons, to see is the most 
excellent way ; though possibly, my dear 
friend, thou art much more advanced in this 
way than I am ; it is to be " careful for no- 
thing, but in every thing, by prayer and sup- 
plication/ 5 to let our wants be made known 
unto God, casting all our care upon Him who 
careth for us ; to cast off every weight and 
every burden, and " run with patience the 
race that is set before us," doing with our 
might whatever our hands find to do. But 
what meaneth this language, which we so 
often feel, and so often hear? — I can do 
nothing, I have no ability, I have neither 
strength nor understanding; and in whose 
heart hath this language been raised more 
feelingly than in my own ? for who is so 



12! 



deaf, or so blind, as the servants and mes- 
sengers of the Most High, when His light 
is not with them ? but when He, who " in- 
creased strength to them that have no 
might" of their own, and who speaketh to 
things that are not, as though they were, and 
they obey Him, when, in gracious conde- 
scension, He is pleased to call, to move to 
any little service amongst our brethren. 

Let us not, then, complain for want of 
ability, nor reason upon our own unfitness. 
Remember, it was through " faith the walls 
of Jericho fell down but the rams 5 horns 
were employed as instruments. Oh this 
faith ! to which all things are possible ; 
which removes mountains; in which we 
should walk, and without which u it is im- 
possible to please God." Let us contend 
for it, let us watch unto prayer that it may 
be increased, for by this all the fiery darts 
of the enemy shall be quenched. I know 
that Jesus is the author of this faith, I know 
it is the faith of the operation of God; but 
yet I am verily persuaded, that by standing 
open, and willingly yielding to this opera- 
tion, or turning away and shutting our minds 



122 



against it, we shall experience an increase 
or diminution of it. Abraham believed God, 
against all human probability, and " it was 
accounted to him," saith the apostle, " for 
righteousness." "Lord! be it unto me ac- 
cording to thy word, 5 ' said the holy Vir- 
gin Mary : thus prepared, she conceived the 
Redeemer of mankind. " Have faith in 
God," said the ever blessed Jesus to His 
disciples ; and to Thomas, " be not faith- 
less, but believing." u Said I not unto thee," 
was the answer of our Lord to Martha, " if 
thou wouldst believe, thou shouldst see the 
glory of God ?" 

It is not in my heart, very far from it, to 
put any upon moving in the Lord's service 
in their own wills, or their own time ; but I 
want to recommend to thee, my dear friend, 
what I feel to be necessary for myself, — an 
unreserved dedication of heart to God, a care- 
ful abiding with, and attention to, the bless- 
ed Master. It is in my heart to say to thee, 
Whatsoever he saith to thee, do it. No man, 
" by taking thought, can add one cubit unto 
his stature." " I would have you," said the 
apostle, to be ".without carefulness." Let 



123 



us leave every thing to Him who has all 
power ; let us commit ourselves, and our 
all, our children, who are dear to us as our 
own lives, unto the Bishop of Souls, who 
loves and cares for them more than we do, 
w 7 ho (blessed be His holy name, saith all 
that is within me) hath not only died for us, 
but for our children. Oh! that they also 
may be made willing to die to themselves, 
that they might live to Him. 

Under the fresh feeling of the Heavenly 
Father's love, (of which I am no ways 
worthy,) I salute thee as a brother in Christ, 
and commend us both unto His holy keep- 
ing. 

John Thorp. 

Remember me affectionately to thy wife, 
whose dwelling, I trust, is secure in the 
valley of humility. 



124 



To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 11th Mo. 15, 1794 

My dear Friend, 

Having the opportunity of conveying a 
few lines to thee, 1 am unwilling to let it 
slip 5 and though I should have nothing to 
write worthy of much regard^ yet thou wilt 
at least be convinced of my good-will, and 
that if I had any thing better, I should as 
freely offer it. I am not much in the prac- 
tice of boasting of my infirmities, and, truly, 
1 have nothing else to boast of. I often think 
there is too much of this amongst us ; and 
yet, lest thou shouldst think of me above what 
I am, I am free to tell thee, that weakness 
and poverty are often my companions ; that 
jealousy and fear, both night and day, do 
frequently attend me, lest I should not be 
so improving my time, and the talents com- 
mitted to me, as I ought to do ; lest I should 
not be so steadily preferring the things which 
are most excellent, not enough setting my 
affections on things which are above, and 



125 



looking a toward the mark for the prize of 
the high calling of God in Christ Jesus ;" lest 
obedience should not keep pace with knowl- 
edge, and the day's work with the day: 
because I do see so clearly that " the end of 
all things is at hand that the summer will 
soon be over, and the harvest ended. Now, 
if any thing like this should also be thy ex- 
perience, I am not sorry for it : but I do pray 
that this poverty, this weakness, this jealousy 
and fear, may, to both of us, be sanctified to 
our complete redemption. 

Oh this great work, Redemption! if this 
be but happily accomplished in our expe- 
rience, it matters very little what else is gain- 
ed or lost. I thought so, through adorable 
Mercy, in my early youth ; when, through 
the visitation of the " day-spring from on 
high," a prospect was opened into things 
which are invisible ; the transcendent beauty 
of holiness was disclosed, and the glory of 
this world was stained in my view. With 
what zeal and fervency was I then engaged 
to labour, to obtain an inheritance " eternal 
in the Heavens," " that fadeth not away!" 
and oh ! the solicitude that I have, and do 

M 



126 



jbow feel, since I am advanced more in years, 
that I might not survive the greenness of my 
youth ; that I might not become more lax, 
lukewarm, and indifferent, than I was " in 
the day of mine espousals." And, indeed, I 
can say, to the glory of His name, who lives 
for ever, that my love to God, and to my 
brethren, has not been on the decrease. 
No, no! my soul was never more ravished 
with one of His looks, with one chain of His 
neck, whom my soul increasingly esteems 
" the chiefest among ten thousand," and 
u altogether lovely." Never, never, had re- 
ligion so many charms, that I do many a 
time think, when the vision of light is a little 
opened in my view, that if I never had be- 
fore, I should not then hesitate a moment, 
but endeavour to give up ail for eternal life* 
Now, my dear friend, that what I have 
written here is likewise descriptive of thy 
religious situation, I feel strongly disposed 
to believe ; and therefore it is in my heart 
to say, let us thank God, and take courage ; 
let us lift up our heads in hope, that He, 
who has been our morning light, will be our 
evening song ; and though, in our progress 



127 



through this wilderness, we should meet with 
tribulation, (for 1 have been instructed to 
believe, there is no outward situation ex- 
empt from trials,) yet it is the privilege of 
the dependant children of our Heavenly Fa- 
ther, that they know Him to be their sanc- 
tuary. This state of things is a compound 
of good and evil ; Gall and Wormwood are 
deeply mingled in the cup we all have to 
drink, though not perhaps in like proportion ; 
but let us receive our respective portions as 
coming from His hand, who will make it a 
cup of blessing to His children. We have 
the authority of Holy Writ to say, " in all 
their afflictions He was afflicted, and the 
angel of His presence saveth them." Oh ! 
what condescending language is this : — 
" When thou passest through the waters, I 
will be with thee ; and through the rivers, 
they shall not overflow thee : when thou 
walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be 
burnt ; neither shall the flame kindle upon 
thee." 

Thus, whatever be the permitted dispen- 
sations of suffering, of any who love the Lord 
Jesus in sincerity; however such may, at 



128 



seasons, be divested of strength, and clothed 
with sackcloth ; though such should have to 
pass through deep and fiery trials, yet shall 
they be preserved ; the Lord, in whom they 
trust, will be with all these ; will sanctify 
the dispensations, and, in his own time, 
bring deliverance ; will clothe with the 
strength of salvation ; will take off the sack- 
cloth, and clothe these with gladness. So 
that, for the encouragement of the upright 
and sincere, whose hands, I know r , are many 
times ready to hang down ; yea, to the whole 
Israel of God, it may be said as formerly, — 
u There is none like unto the God of Jeshu- 
run, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, 
and in His excellency on the sky. The eter- 
nal God is thy refuge, and underneath are 
the Everlasting Arms." 

Please present the salutation of my love 
to thy wife. I shall only add the desire 
which I feel, that the Divine blessing may 
attend thee ; and oh ! that it might please 
the God of blessings to bless all thy children. 
I am thy affectionate friend, 

John Thorp. 



129 



Xifcttei! XXX. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 4th Mo. 26, 1796. 

My dear Friend, 

It is now more than twelve months since 
I received thy kind letter, though there has 
not passed one month 5 perhaps not one day, 
in which I have not affectionately remem- 
bered thee ; and thou wouldst long since 
have had a reply to it, if I had thought thou 
hadst stood in need of any instruction or help 
from me. If the enemy has gained any ad- 
vantage by my silence, either against thee 
or me, I am sorry for it; but I believe thou 
hast been too long acquainted with his devi- 
ces, to be in much danger from that quarter. 
The very poor account thou hast giver? 
me of thy own situation, did not at all sur- 
prise me ; it was just such a one as I should 
have expected from thee; the humble state 
of thy mind, added to its great sensibility, 
under the humiliating, gradual process of 
regeneration, disposeth to such feelings and 
such fears. I believe there are many of ms 2 



130 



were it not that we are sometimes favoured 
for the sake of others, that would have much 
the same account to give of ourselves. I 
will transcribe for thee a few lines from an 
ancient, pious writer, and which I would have 
thee admit as an answer to all thou hast 
said of thyself : " This I do impart unto you 
" in all sincerity, out of a true Christian zeal 
" from my fountain gifts and knowledge ; 
" and I do not extol or set up myself, but I 
" speak brotherly to your mind, to stir you 
u up, and to comfort you, that you should 
" not think the yoke of Christ to be heavy, 
a when oftentimes the external man doth 
" cloud the internal, that the poor soul 
" mourneth, for its image, which yet is pu- 
" rifled, and truly begotten, and brought 
" forth under tribulation, and the cross of 
Christ. It is even so with me, and other 
" Christians besides. Think not strange at 
" it. It is very good when the poor soul is 
" in combat, much better than when it is 
" imprisoned, and yet playeth the hypocrite, 
u and maketh devout shows. It is written, 
" that all things shall serve for the best to 
a them who love God. Now, when the 



131 



" combat of the soul doth arise and proceed, 
" that it would fain see God, and yet can- 
" not at all times attain the same, then know 
" that it fighteth for the noble trophy, of 
u which the external manknoweth nothing; 
u yet the Spirit of God fighteth in the na- 
" tural soul for that which is supernatural, 
" that so he may lead the creature into God, 
" He would always fain crown the soul with 
" the precious image, if the blind reason 
" would but give Him room, and suffer the 
u understanding to co-operate. We must 
" labour and strive against the external rea- 
" son, and also against flesh and blood, and 
" wholly oppose the assaults and objections 
t of the devil, always breaking them, and 
" casting them away, and resist the evil 
li thoughts, motions, and influences, and ef- 
u fectually with our whole soul, with prayer, 
* 6 supplication, or internal resignation, press 
" into God's mercy." 

Thou mayst be sure enough, my dear 
friend, that if Providence seeth meet to make 
any other use of thee, than that which He 
hath long done, as a preacher of righteous- 
ness in life and conversation, as a Father to 



132 



the poor, and a succourer of many, when the 
right time shall come, thou will not be left 
in any doubt about it ; but if otherwise, it is 
all right ; it is enough if we are found faith- 
ful stewards in the station which the Master 
hath appointed us, whether as stewards of 
grace, or of the things of this life. What 
cause have we, not only to be satisfied with, 
but thankful for our lots ? our outward cir- 
cumstances, our mental powers, and spiritual 
gifts, are diversified by Him who only is 
wise ; and it is deeply fixed as a sentiment 
in my mind, that the allotment or gifts of 
each individual of us, if we act well our part, 
and are faithful in the improvement, will 
conduce more completely to fill up the 
measure of our happiness through all eter- 
nity, than any other or varied portion could 
possibly do. The great point, by which 
glory, honour, and peace, both here and for 
ever, would certainly be gained, is for each 
of us to stand in our own lot, resigned to the 
will of God in all the varied dispensations of 
His providence : seeking no more, either of 
prosperity or adversity, of poverty or riches, 
of suffering or rejoicing, in things spiritual 



133 



or temporal, than He knows to be best for 
us. 

I note all that thou hast hinted, of some 
circumstances which, as a parent, do furnish 
for thee some degree of affliction. Experi- 
ence hath taught me to sympathize in a case 
which, though somewhat dissimilar, hath 
been to me exceedingly distressing; but, my 
dear friend, what can we do for our children ? 
nothing of ourselves, to be sure, that will do 
them any good ; but, through Divine help, 
we can love, pity, and pray for them ; and, 
indeed, with some, this is the last and only 
resource ; and oh ! the fear that I have felt, 
lest I should be deficient here. " The fer- 
vent prayer of a righteous man availeth 
much let us be found diligent in this holy 
exercise. The example of Job is worthy 
our imitation, and with what fervency did 
the father of the faithful address the Most 
High with this petition ; " O that Ishmael 
might live before thee !" " God forbid," said 
the prophet Samuel, concerning the rebel- 
lious house of Israel, " that I should sin 
against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you." 
Oh! that both thou and I may be found fer- 



134 



vent enough, and frequent in this great duty ; 
often retiring to the closet of our hearts, the 
temple which God hath chosen, and there 
pouring forth our supplication to " our Fa- 
ther which is in heaven/ 5 that He would take 
our children under His care. Much benefit 
would arise from this practice. I am very 
far from thinking thee a stranger to this 
Christian exercise ; for any thing I know, 
thou mayst have gone far beyond me in the 
practice. If so, permit me to recommend 
it to thee to persevere; and, for thy encour- 
agement, let us remember the example of the 
woman, who came to Christ, and would not 
be denied, Mat. xv. 22 ; and likewise the 
parable of our blessed Lord, by which He 
taught that men should always pray, and 
not faint, Luke xviii. Oh ! tHe consolation 
and support we also should derive from thus 
spreading our cause before the Lord, and 
committing ourselves, our children, and our 
all into His hand, who is the Shepherd and 
Bishop of Souls. 

I do not expect to be in London this year ; 
so probably may miss the pleasure of seeing 
thee there ; some more distant period may 



135 



furnish the opportunity. I have, however, 
much pleasure and comfort in thinking of 
thee, because I am so fully persuaded' of the 
sincerity of thy desires; and that, in the 
great day of recompence, thou wilt be num- 
bered amongst the humble, faithful servants 
of God. 

Wishing thee every comfort and every 
blessing consistent with the Divine will, I 
remain thy ever affectionate and sincere 
friend, 

John Thorp. 

N. B. Present the salutation of my love 
to thy wife, and to Priscilla Hannah Gurney ; 
tell her to remember the parable of the talents, 
and I also ought to remember it, particularly 
that part, " Thou oughtest therefore to have 
put my money to the exchangers," the Lord's 
money, nothing of our own. 



136 



Xiettrc XXXI. 

To Richard Reynolds* 

Manchester, 2nd Mo. 2, 1798. 

My dear Friend, 

Though I have not written to thee for a 
long time, it would be great injustice to sup- 
pose I had forgotten thee. I do not even 
suspect thee on the same account, and I am 
not willing to be suspected. I remember 
thee often, my dear friend, I believe in the 
manner thou wouldst wish me, according to 
the ability and strength afforded ; and I have 
the comfort also to believe, thou art gra- 
ciously remembered of God, and that thy 
prayers and thine alms are gone up for a 
memorial before Him. Yet, like a wise and 
tender father, He knoweth how to preserve 
His people humble, and in a state of deep 
abasement before Him : because He know- 
eth, who knoweth all things, that this is the 
best and safest for us. 

I have, indeed, often observed, with hum- 
ble admiration, the unfailing wisdom of His 
discipline in this respect, always increasing. 



137 



with all His gifts and favours, our humble 
abasement before Him ; and seeing, in the 
Light, the necessity of this, I have often fer- 
vently petitioned for it. Though painful 
apprehensions, and many fears, do generally 
attend a state of spiritual desertion, as if it 
were some way or other our own fault, and 
the consequence of some impropriety of 
conduct ; yet, as the eye is kept single to Him 
in submission, and the " hunger and thirst 
after His righteousness 55 maintained, such, 
at seasons, when it pleaseth Him, and most 
certainly, when their days of mourning and 
conflict here are over, shall, with this righ- 
teousness, be forever filled and clothed. So 
that I believe the Lord would have us to be 
encouraged to press forward, keeping the 
mark in view : " Let us not be weary in well- 
doing ; for in due season we shall reap if we 
faint not nothing hath happened to us but 
such things as are common to our fellow- 
pilgrims ; though I know the enemy tells 
quite a contrary story, and would have us to 
believe, that our case and lot is harder and 
worse than hath fallen to the share of any oth- 
er, But no credit must be given to him, who 

N 



138 



was " a liar from the beginning," and who al- 
ways seeks to cast down those whom he can- 
not exalt above measure ; but thou " art not- 
ignorant of satan's devices." The good sol- 
dier thou knowest, must endure hardness ; 
and let us always remember Him, of whom 
the prophet spake, that He was " a man of 
sorrows, and acquainted with grief;" and 
can we expect to get to heaven without pass- 
ing through a similar process ? Thou and I 
have now long been engaged in the Chris- 
tian warfare ; I hope and trust not altogether 
unsuccessfully. We can be at no great dis- 
tance from the end of the Christian race : 
the crown is at the end of it, laid up for, and 
shall be given to those, who love the appear- 
ing of the Lord, the righteous Judge, which 
I have no doubt is thy case ; I pray that it 
may evermore be mine. 

Martha Routh and myself have just gone 
through a religious visit to the families of our 
friends in this place. Merciful help hath 
been afforded, and I hope the labour will 
not be in vain ; there are about sixty fami- 
lies in membership, and many individuals, 
and a considerable number not in society, 
who generally attend our meetings. 



139 



Give my love to thy wife, who, I believe, 
hath made great progress in that way that 
will end in peace. Oh ! how 1 wish, how I 
long to encourage all my fellow-pilgrims to 
persevere in the high way to the Kingdom, 
and in an especial manner such as have been 
long on their journey, and are at no great 
distance from the heavenly country, that the 
strength of all such may be so renewed, that 
they may u run and not be weary, 5 ' that 
they may " walk and not faint." 

Please remember my love to P. H. Gur- 
ney ; she has been out a long time. Well ! 
there is but one best way, and that, I believe, 
is to do what we are bid, and no more. 

I would have my dear love remembered 
to Ann Summerland ; dear woman, her 
warfare is nearly accomplished, and a heav- 
enly mansion, I have no doubt, is richly pre- 
pared for her. 

In dear love to thyself, in which my wife 
unites. I am thy affectionate friend, 

John Thorp. 



140 



XifctteT XXXtt. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 10th Mo. 28, 1799. 

My dear Friend, 

Many a time of late I have thought I 
would write to thee, and I certainly should 
before now, if I had not felt myself almost 
c onstantly unfit for any sort of communica- 
tion, through somewhat of an uncommon 
degree of what we call spiritual poverty. I 
do not say this in a way of complaint ; I 
have no doubt it is all in wisdom. I do not 
even wish the dispensation to be changed 
before the time ; I have no cause to believe 
that I am alone in this condition, though, as 
to the degree, I am sometimes ready to think 
so. I do not only feel so destitute of spiritual 
enjoyments, but of ability to do any thing to 
help myself, that, although 1 have been en- 
deavouring after spiritual attainments now for 
more than forty years, yet, when I sit down in 
meetings, in a stripped state even to a degree 
of nakedness, I know no^ more how to help 
myself than when I was a little child. Some- 



141 



times, as my mind sinks into submission, I 
am permitted to feel a little quietness and 
peace, and sometimes, for causes that I do 
not clearly know, I experience considerable 
conflicts ; but, as I said before, I have no 
doubt this is ail in mercy. I know Him in 
whom I have believed, and my soul desires 
to bow in submission to all His dispensa- 
tions. 

I do not know how I come to write so 
much about myself, unless it be to convince 
thee, if thou also shouldst sometimes pass 
through seasons of deep humiliation and 
abasement, that thou art not indeed the poor- 
est of the spiritual family. Nay , if thou wert 
to think thy case was not at all to be com - 
pared to others, 1 myself have thought so 
too; how often have I been ready to say,— 
yes, thus good people may sometimes pass 
through these baptisms, perhaps for their 
further purification, or it may be to enable 
them to speak more feelingly to others : but 
what is that to me ? I have reason to fear 
mine is rather a state than a baptism, and 
proceeds from the unrenewed condition of 
my own heart. What else can be the reason 



142 

why I am so insensible of good, and sit 
meeting after meeting as the " heath in the 
desert ; 5 ' nay, even when testimonies are 
borne, I am like the deaf adder. Thus ma- 
ny a time, in years that are now past, hath 
my poor mind been " tossed with tempest, 
and not comforted and thus, at seasons, 
am I permitted, in measure, to be exercised 
to this day. Many a time have I said in my 
heart, Lord, if these dispensations are intend- 
ed to make me feel what I am without thee, 
and what I am but ; that of myself I can do 
nothing ; that " there is none good but One, 
and that is God if to convince me of this, 
be thy gracious purpose, surely it is enough; 
I am full of this conviction. Notwithstand- 
ing, when I consider what the ever blessed 
Master suffered for us, when He trod the 
wine-press alone, and gave " His life a ran- 
som for many," I am even ashamed to think 
any thing of what we meet with of the na- 
ture of suffering in our daily Christian war- 
fare. No, my dear friend, let us rather glo- 
ry in tribulations also, inasmuch as we are 
made thereby more conformable to His bless- 
ed example, who was " a man of sorrows, 
and acquainted with grief." 



143 



I have just now, since writing the above, 
given thy last kind Christian letter a fresh 
reading ; upon which I know not that I have 
much to remark, except that thou thinkest 
too ill of thyself, and too well of me. In 
both respects, perhaps, this letter may help 
to set thee right. On the subject of human 
infirmities, I once heard (and I thought it 
did me good) a truly living, humble minister 
of the gospel say, that though he could or 
durst not say, that he loved the Lord his God 
with all his heart, and his neighbour as him- 
self, he could say this, that he had not left off 
striving to arrive at that attainment. Let 
us, then, keep up the warfare as good soldiers 
of Christ. O ! let us be careful and diligent 
in this important business. Let not the 
world have too much of our time or atten- 
tion : we, at our time of life, must very soon 
leave it. Be encouraged, my dear friend, to 
persevere in the Christian warfare, against 
the world, the flesh, and the devil. Occupy 
with the talents received ; attend to thy 
stewardship, both of grace and the things of 
this life. Do all the good the blessed Mas- 
ter bids thee do, both to the souls and bodies 



144 



of men ; and then, never fear when the day 
of reckoning shall come, thou shalt receive 
the answer of " Well done, thou good and 
faithful servant : enter thou into the joy of 
thy Lord." 

Let us number our mercies, and com- 
memorate the many favours, preservations, 
and deliverances, that have been hitherto 
vouchsafed unto us, and bless the name of 
Him who lives for ever, for what He hath 
given, and for all He hath denied ; and when 
His fatherly corrections and chastisements 
may be exercised upon us, those certain evi- 
dences of filiation, O that we may be ena- 
bled, in feeling submission, to kiss the rod ! 
Thus would all the gracious designs of our 
heavenly Father be accomplished, and all 
Ilis dispensations sanctified unto us. 

Remember my love affectionately to thy 
wife, whom I wish well on her way to the 
heavenly country, and am, with sincere love, 
thy affectionate friend, 



John Thorp. 



145 



Xiette* XXXIII. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 1st Mo. 21, 1802* 

My dear Friend, 

Although Robert Barnard hath written to 
acquaint the Darby family of our safe return, 
yet that does not excuse me from furnishing 
thee with the same information. 

We got home the day after we left you, a 
little after four o'clock ; the roads were good, 
and our journey as pleasant as the severe sea- 
son would admit ; but what reconciled every 
thing to me was, that my mind was favoured 
With sweet peace, as, through great mercy, I 
had been made willing to do what I believe 
the blessed Master bid me do, without at- 
tempting more. Surely we do not serve a 
hard Master! Many, many times, from early 
age, hath my heart been filled with this ac- 
knowledgement. There never was so good a 
Master ; who gave such excellent wages for 
such imperfect work ; who is not watching 
over us for evil, but for good ; not taking 
occasions against us, but forgiving, pitying, 



146 



helping us, again and again ; for there is no 
end of His compassion, let the devil say what 
he will ; raising us up, and bearing up our 
heads above the troubled waters, and en- 
couraging us to persevere. This He doth, 
ever being "touched with the feeling of our 
infirmities, 55 blessed be His holy name for 
ever ! for such a High-priest became us, 
Oh ! was He not exactly such a Saviour, 
what should we do ? Surely, my dear friend, 
this is not the language of the barbarian to 
thee. 

I had little expectation of expressing my- 
self thus ; but my heart was moved with 
gratitude to our most gracious Helper, and I 
felt the springing up of that Love, which had 
no beginning, reaching towards thee ; and, 
under its influence, I wish thee " to thank 
God and take courage. 55 Fear not, saith the 
Lord, u for I am with thee. 55 In every per- 
mitted trial, he will be near thee to suppoit 
thee. Therefore, my dear friend, be hum- 
bled in His presence ; put thy whole trust 
and confidence in God thy Saviour ; bow in 
gratitude before Him, who hath done great 
things for thee : lift np thy head in hope, 



147 



that He, who hath been thy morning light, 
will be thy evening and thy everlasting song. 
And I believe it right for me to add, that 
" although thy house be not so with God ; 
yet He hath made with thee an everlasting 
covenant, ordered in all things, and sure. 55 

Present my dear love to thy wife, whom I 
love for the truth's sake, which dwelleth in 
her. Oh ! how T beautiful is that saying of 
the apostle, and how deeply instructive, 
" God is love ; and he that dwelleth in love 
dwelleth in God, and God in him.' 5 Please 
to give my love to Sarah Allen, and tell her, 
I wish her to remember, with frequency and 
gratitude, that interesting declaration of the 
apostle : " Ye are not your own ; for ye are 
bought with a price ; therefore glorify God 
in your body, and in your spirit, which are 
God's. 55 

I look back with pleasure on my winter 
visit, and feel grateful for your kind attention. 
I am, with true love, and best desires for 
thee, thy affectionate friend., 

John Thorp. 



143 



iMte* XXXIV. 
To 

Manchester, 11th Mo. 20,1802, 
Dear Friend, 

Thy letter, dated 11th Mo. 24th, I re- 
ceived duly ; and as it appears to have been 
written in a good degree of candour and un- 
reserved freedom, I feel disposed, under the 
influence of sincere good-will, and (if I am 
not mistaken) a disinterested love to the ever- 
blessed Truth, to make thee some reply. 

And first, I do not blame thee, circum- 
stanced as thou professest thyself to be, that 
is, having little or no unity with Friends^ 
either in faith or practice, for withdrawing 
thyself from them. I do not see how thou 
couldst, with any degree of honesty, have 
acted otherwise ; but whether thou actedst 
wisely, with proper reverence, fear, and care} 
whether thou tookest counsel of God or of an 
enemy ; whether thou didst not admit these 
differences of opinion on important points, 
on ground too superficial, though with some 



149 



uprightness of intention, and probably with 
some expectation of being an instrument of 
further reformation, for I am not ignorant of 
satan's devices ; whether thou mayst not 
have suffered thyself to be too hastily moved 
to give in to new opinions, perhaps from a 
variety of motives, — I am indeed disposed 
to doubt. Time and consequences will 
show whether, in these movements, thou 
hast been building upon the Rock or on the 
Sand. 

The charges of superstition arid formality^ 
which you bring against the Society you 
have left, appear in my view rather the ef- 
fects of prejudice than a well-informed judg- 
ment. Such an application of the words 
superstition and fornlality, is, I think, un- 
precedented* There is perhaps as little of 
formality amongst ue, as can be made to 
consist with regularity and order : and I do 
expect that experience, in time, will con- 
vince some of you of the necessity and 
benefit of this. I know of nothing in the 
discipline recommended and practised a- 
mohgst us, as to the substance and material 
parts of it, which hath not evidently its foun- 
o 



150 



dation in Divine Love, and in that sympa- 
thetic, brotherly affection, and watching over 
one another for good, which the religion of 
the gospel requires. But if this discipline, 
and these forms are moved in, and main- 
tained in a dead and lifeless manner, (and 
yet one can hardly suppose this to be the 
case without exception any where ; but ad- 
mitting it is) the fault is not in the form or 
in the rules of our discipline, but in the want 
of humbly seeking after and waiting for the 
influence of that Divine Love, which would 
enable us to move in these forms, and put 
in practice this discipline, to our mutual 
edification. 

The offence which some of you have 
taken, and the strictures which thou hast 
published on the manner of our marriages, 
really seem to me quite childish. No doubt, 
some part of our proceedings in order to 
marriage, which once were necessary, may 
now be spared. It appears that Friends have 
thought so, and accordingly have now made 
the way less tedious ; and probably, when 
the Society shall see the propriety of it, as 
some of its members now do, the manner of 



151 



our proceedings may be still more simplified; 
but any how, as it hath been practised at any 
time amongst us, there hath been nothing 
in it that I could have believed a man of 
thy talents and understanding would have 
stumbled at, or been offended with. 

Thy definition and ideas of revelation, 
human reason, and conscience, appear to me 
confused and indistinct. Surely there was 
a time when thou couldst better have dis- 
tinguished between human reason and Di- 
vine revelation. Thy remarks upon the 
Scriptures I heartily disapprove. There are, 
I think, very few 7 of thy observations on that 
subject, that would meet the approbation 
of any man, who would make a right use of 
his reason; they are far from being new, 
or new to me* I have read, with pain, many 
such things in the works of unbelievers: 
but I wish thee to consider what sort of 
characters they have generally been, who 
have written against the Scriptures ; and 
what sort of people they have generally 
been, who have given in to this infidelity. 
Consider the lives and conduct of these men, 
and contrast them with the lives of those 



152 



who have been the firmest believers, and 
most diligent readers of the sacred writings : 
and it will, I hope, afford thee some light on 
which hand the danger lies. I myself, as well 
as Timothy, have read the Holy Scriptures 
from the years of childhood ; and by them, 
I believe, I can say truly, I have been of- 
ten profitably instructed and comforted, but 
never received any hurt. I believe I have 
not a religious acquaintance in the world, 
that would not w 7 rite the same testimony ; 
and I am almost persuaded, that if thou 
wouldst consult thy own experience, and 
that of all the truly religious characters thou 
hast known, you would say very much the 
same thing. Are not then all the arguments 
against, confuted by facts and experience in 
favour of, the Scriptures .? 

Thou needest not have said, that our So- 
ciety sometimes called the Divine principle 
in man, a Christ within thou mightst have 
said, (what thou canst not be ignorant of,) 
that this is the language and doctrine of the 
Scriptures. I believe it would make more 
for our peace, and preservation from error, to 
admit the express testimony of Holy Writ, 



153 



that there is no God but One, none good but 
One, no Divinity but One, and that Jesus 
Christ our Lord, the Son and Sent of God, 
who was born of the Virgin Mary 3 was united 
with this One Divinity ; and thus united 
with Omnipotent Love, and receiving from 
His Father all power, both in Heaven and 
on the Earth, He became, by His state, 
character, and the Divine appointment, the 
Author of eternal redemption to us; for He, 
possessing in Himself all the perfection of 
the first Adam, in perfect union with the 
Divinity, became the Head and Fountain of 
all the regenerated human race, who derive 
their heavenly life, nature, and image from 
Him ; and all that He did, and suffered, in 
His outward manifestation, was for our sake. 
Blessed be His name, He needed not to suffer 
for Himself, who was the Lamb Immaculate, 
in whose mouth was found no guile, being 
holy, harmless, and undefiled, though u in 
all points tempted like as we are, yet with- 
out sin." No, it was on our account, ac- 
cording to the declaration of the prophet, 
" Surely He hath borne our griefs, and car- 
ried our sorrows : yet we did esteem Him 
o* 



154 



stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But 
He was wounded for our transgressions, He 
was bruised for our iniquities : the chastise- 
ment of our peace was upon Him, and with 
His stripes we are healed. All we, like 
sheep, have gone astray ; we have turned 
every one to his own way ; and the Lord 
hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.'' 
Agreeably to this declaration, is that of the 
apostle Peter, 1 Peter, ii. 24. Let us then 
beware how we undervalue the merits (for I 
do not know a better word) of our Saviour's 
sufferings : " the Just for the unjust, that He 
might bring us to God." I have no belief, I 
never had, that the sufferings of the Holy 
Jesus, when He poured out His soul unto 
death, were in order to satisfy or appease 
any wrath that was awakened in the pure 
Deity Himself. " God is love," " the same 
yesterday, and to-day, and for ever ;" but 
though w r e should not be able to comprehend 
the why and wherefore of our blessed Lord's 
miraculous conception, holy, self-denying 
life, sufferings and death ; yet, unless we 
will reject the whole body of Scripture evi- 
dence, we must believe they were all neces- 



155 



sary and indispensable to our complete re- 
demption. 

If mankind were better acquainted with, 
and more willing to believe, the fall of all 
mankind in our first parents, by whose trans- 
gression sin entered into the world, and 
death by sin ; did we read more in the vol- 
ume of our own hearts, the corruption and 
depravity of our fallen state by nature ; how 
we have lost the image of holiness, and that 
pristine purity and heavenly nature in which 
man w T as first created, and to which we are 
called ; we should see more clearly, and 
better understand what is meant by " the 
second Adam," " the Lord from heaven/ 
u the quickening Spirit,' 7 " the Resurrection 
and the Life," and by the emphatic words 
of Ransom, Purchase, Salvation, and Re- 
demption through Jesus Christ. 

Whatever may be thy sentiments on these 
subjects, I am jealous of many, who, in these 
days, like the builders of Babel formerly, are 
exploring new ways to Heaven, by the exer- 
tion and power of their own reason, that they 
are too much strangers to the glorious dis- 
pensation of the Gospel, the reign and gov- 



156 



ernmeht of Christ, the King of Righteousness 
and Prince of Peace ; and therefore do not 
see the necessity of being born again, before 
they can see this kingdom, which none can 
enter but those who are first " converted, 
and become as little children." All these 
believing in the Scriptures, and the power of 
God, believe also in Christ ; for They are 
one, and these know the truth of His blessed 
promise, " If a man love me, he will keep 
my words : " and my Father will love him, 
and we will come unto him, and make our 
abode with him." "At that day ye shall 
know that I am in my Father, and you in me, 
and I in you." Where then, my friend, is 
the distinction thou thinkest should be more 
strongly marked, between Jesus Christ in 
spirit, and His Father, dwelling in us ? 

I have written far more than I had a view 
of ; but my heart was full, and I yet feel a 
measure of that love that beareth and hopeth 
all things, in which I desire for thee, as for 
myself, an establishment upon that Founda- 
tion, which God hath laid in Sion, and 
which never can be shaken. Endeavour af- 
ter stillness, quietness, retirement, and resig- 



157 



nation ; and in the simplicity of a little 
child, wait upon God, and watch unto prayer 
that He may be pleased to show thee, as in 
time past, the way He would have thee to 
go, and whether the path thou hast lately 
trodden, be the way to the wilderness, or the 
way which He hath cast up for thee to the 
city of God. Be jealous over thyself with a 
godly jealousy ; ponder the paths of thy feet, 
and watch against that grand adversary of 
man's happiness, which first beguiled th8 
woman in paradise, and hath cast down ma- 
ny of the stars of heaven, which, if they had 
humbly abode in a state of dependance upon 
Him, who appointed them their place and 
station, would have been fixed in the firma- 
ment of His power for ever. 

I feel the love of our Heavenly Father 
moving in my heart for thee. I feel com- 
passion for thy family, and for all those who 
may look to thee for direction ; and strong 
are the desires that I feel, that, in that awful 
day when inquisition shall be made for blood, 
thou mayst be found pure from the blood of 
all men. 

I am thy sincere friend, 

John Thorp. 



158 



IMteY XXXT. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 12th Mo. 3, 1802, 

My dear Friend, 

Within a few months back I have spent 
many hours in the company of thy son and 
daughter Rathbone, to my own satisfaction, 
and I hope not unacceptably to them. The 
death of my dear friend Robert Benson, 
furnished an occasion for this opportunity. 
For fourteen years I had been intimately 
acquainted with that dear man, and his 
friendship hath been to me fruitful -of much 
comfort. This is one of those losses ( I had 
like to have said evils) that advanced age 
subjects us to ; with this aggravation, that, 
at that season of life, the loss cannot be re- 
paired. For him there is no cause to mourn; 
he has gained, I have no doubt, an admit- 
tance into the glorious Church Triumphant. 

I know not whether any body may have 
thought it worth telling thee, that I have 
spent a month in London this last summer, 
I had for some time wished for an opportu- 



159 



nity, in some easy way, to sit with my friends 
in all the meeting-houses in London ; and 
believing it right to pay a visit to my relations 
there, particularly my eldest brother, now 
nearly seventy-three years old, in a declin- 
ing state of health, and an only sister, in 
much the same condition, I thought this 
would be a convenient time for me to ac- 
complish my prospects, with regard to my 
friends. Accordingly, I was at all their 
meetings, and some in the neighbourhood, to 
my own satisfaction and peace, and, for 
aught I know, to the satisfaction of my friends 
also, for they everywhere behaved to me 
with the greatest kindness. 

I am thy affectionate friend, 

John Thorp. 



160 



l^tte* XXXVIe 
To 

Manchester, 12th Mo. 20, 1802 

My dear Friend, 

Were it not that I have a fixed disappro- 
bation to dabbling and quackery, in diseases 
of the mind as well as body, thou wouldst 
probably have heard from me in this way 
before now • but I know that wounds, how- 
ever skilfully treated, even under the care of 
the best physician, must have time to heal ; 
and inward stillness and quietness certainly 
contribute much to this desirable end. But 
in looking at thy situation, with some degree 
of solicitude, and desire for thy preservation 
in the way of holiness and peace, there arose 
some sentiments in my mind, that I thought 
it would be best, in the freedom of true 
friendship, I had almost said in the liberty of 
the Gospel, to communicate. 

We are told, by an Authority which we are 
both willing to acknowledge, that " all things 
work together for good to them that love 
God," and who are willing to manifest their 



161 



love by their obedience ; if so, the late pain- 
ful, or deeply trying event which thou hast 
experienced, is one of those " all things," 
which the Lord Almighty would bless and 
sanctify to thy spiritual improvement, thy 
increasing refinement, and perfect purifica- 
tion : and then, the little time thou mayst 
have to stay, will be abundantly blessed, 
both to thyself and others, by giving thee an 
opportunity, through Divine help, of filling 
up more fully the measure of thy duty, both 
to thy generation, and to the Lord thy God, 
the bountiful Author of all thy sure mercies* 
Do not think, my dear friend, that now thy 
very dear, dear companion is removed to his 
place, I have no doubt^ in the glorious 
Church Triumphant, that thou hast nothing 
to do, but sit down and lament his loss. 
This would be a poor return for the favour 
of having had his company for many years. 
It would be a poor return of gratitude to Him 
who hath loved us> and Washed us from our 
sins in His own blood, No, no, my dear 
friend, we are accountable for ourselves, for 
all the favours, for all the mercies, for all our 
time, and for the talents we have received 
p 



162 



to occupy with ; and nothing but faithful- 
ness and diligence, in doing the will of God 
from the heart, and making a sacrifice of our 
own, will ever enable us to give in our ac- 
count with joy. 

There is no combination of circumstances, 
or peculiarity of situation, in which we can 
be placed, wherein it will be safe for us to 
lay down plans for our own movements, or 
to circumscribe our own path. " Lord, what 
wilt Thou have me to do ?" is expressive of 
that state of mind we should aspire after ; 
and to be able to pray, " not my will, but 
Thine, 5 ' O Lord, " be done," in me, and by 
me, in my house, in my family, u on earth 
as it is in heaven." This is the acceptable 
state, which the Lord will bless. O ! that 
our dwelling might be here, where holy help 
would be afforded, to walk before the Lord 
with acceptance, in that way which He hath 
cast up for us. 

As I believe it has been thy care, (and 
will now be thy comfort,) beyond many 
others, to please and honour him whom the 
Lord gave to be thy husband, so now it hath 
pleased Him, who doth all things right, to 



163 



remove thy husband to a better country and 
inheritance ; that which I wish for thee, my 
dear friend, is, that thou mayst cleave more 
closely, devote thyself more entirely to Him, 
who is a husband to the widow, the orphan's 
only hope, the God in whom the fatherless 
find mercy ; and then, I know, He will guide 
thee continually, and " satisfy thy soul in 
drought," and thou shalt be as a watered 
garden. He will be thy support and thy 
counsellor ; He will bear up thy head above 
the troubled waters, and will enable thee to 
lift up to Him, the hands which are ready to 
hang down, and confirm the feeble knees : 
for, blessed be His holy name for ever, it is 
His delight to do good to those who love 
Him, and whose dependance is on Him 
alone. 

Thus it is in my heart, from the Fountain 
of that consolation which is in Christ Jesus, 
to speak comfortably to thee, and to encour- 
age thee in the name of Him who is "touched 
with the feeling of our infirmities," to trust 
in His name ; and then He will bless thee, 
and thy children with thee, and enable thee 
to fulfil all His will. 



164 



I am, with true love to thee and all thy 
dear children, in which my wife unites, thy 
affectionate friend, 

John Thorp. 

letter XXXVII. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 12th Mo. 31, 1802. 

My dear Friend, 

We are now advanced one year further 
in life than when we saw each other. We 
have both lived longer, by many years, than 
mankind upon an average do. We have had, 
in our very different allotments, many trials 
under which we have been supported, and 
many, very many mercies, which I hope we 
shall never forget, in humble gratitude, to 
number. May that Mercy, which hath fol- 
lowed us all the days of our lives, be still 
graciously continued to us ; and may it be 
our care to wait daily, to feel our strength 
and hope renewed in Him, who hath hitherto 



165 



been with us ; that so we may derive that 
holy help and virtue from Him, which will 
enable us to fill up the measure of our duty 
as the day advances, and make us fruitful in 
old age. 

John Thorp. 

iifctte* XXXYIIX* 
To 

Manchester, 3d Mo. 3, 1803. 

My dear Friend, 

Being under some engagement to at- 
tend a marriage at Morley, I was necessarily 
deprived of the opportunity of attending our 
monthly meeting, and consequently of see- 
ing thee and thy family, which otherwise it 
would have been pleasant for me to have 
done ; for though I might not have been able 
to have contributed more or less to your com- 
fort, I should at least have had the satisfac- 
tion of seeing you, and inquiring of your- 
selves how you were. 

p* 



166 



I hope, by this time, thy mind is so far 
composed, (however if that time is not yet 
come, it will come,) that thou canst look at 
the late distressing event without pain, and 
congratulate dear Robert's safe arrival in the 
heavenly country, where there are neither 
fears nor conflicts, where all tears are wiped 
from all faces. 

It does, indeed, constitute no small part 
of my present comforts, to contemplate the 
happy lot of many, whom I have known and 
loved, and of thousands whom I have never 
known according to the flesh, who are hap- 
pily gone before us into the Paradise of God ; 
who, through faith and patience, have inhe- 
rited the promises. May we not, nay, ought 
we not, humbly to hope, that through the 
same mercy which they obtained, we also, 
in a very little time, may be numbered 
amongst the children of God, and have our 
lot among the saints. Meanwhile, let us 
endeavour to fill up the measure of our duty, 
through Divine help ; let us keep at our post, 
and be willing to do or suffer what may be 
appointed for us ; and then, however little 
this may be, it will be accepted. Many- 



167 



many thousands, who think they have clone 
nothing, who conclude they are unprofitable 
servants indeed, will certainly be, to their 
own humbling astonishment, finally owned 
and accepted of God. " Lord, when saw r 
we Thee an hungered, and fed thee ? or 
thirsty, and gave Thee drink? When saw 
we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in ? or 
naked, and clothed Thee ? Or when saw w r e 
Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto 
Thee ?" w ere the humble queries of those, 
whom the Judge of quick and dead pro- 
nounced " blessed of His Father." 

Let us then, my dear friend, be encourag- 
ed to persevere in the way that is cast up 
for us, doing with cheerfulness and upright- 
ness of heart, whatsoever our hands find to 
do, in our humble stations ; making the will 
of our heavenly Father the only rule of our 1 
conduct, so far as we are favoured distinctly 
to know it. Remember the precept of our 
blessed Lord, " take no thought for the mor- 
row : for the morrow shall take thought for 
the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day 
is the evil thereof." Do not afflict thyself 
by looking forward towards future trials, nor 



168 



anticipate evils that may never come ; but 
repose thyself in the all-sufficiency and un- 
ceasing vigilance of Israel's Shepherd, who 
loveth and careth for thy children far more 
than it is possible for thee to do. Cast all 
thy care upon Him ; put thy whole trust in 
Him ; love and serve Him as thy father did, 
with cheerfulness and full purpose of heart ; 
and then His blessing will rest upon thee and 
upon thy house. Amen. 

My wife unites in dear love to thee, to 
Robert, to Rachel, to Abigail, and Margaret, 
with thy affectionate friend, 

John Thorp. 

"L^tte* XXXIX. 
To Lindley Murray. 

Dear Friend, 

The letter and book thou wast so kind 
as to send me by R. R., I received with gra- 
titude ; for, though personally unknown, (yet 
not so by character,) I have no doubt of thy 
being a fellow r -servant of those who serve the 



169 



best of blessed Masters ; and if I do at all 
desire to be numbered with these, I can say 
I love my fellow servants, of every depart- 
ment, in the heavenly house. If I covet any 
thing from or for my fellow-creatures, it is 
an increase of this disinterested love, and an 
increasing capacity in myself to receive and 
return that love. 

The book will, I hope, be useful to many ; 
from a child, I have been sensible of the 
benefit of reading the lives of good men ; it 
has a natural tendency to stir up the pure 
mind. I have no doubt it will afford a pleas- 
ing, thankful retrospect, when thy day's 
work shall be nearly finished, that thou hast 
been diligent in disinterestedly serving thy 
generation, in things useful and of good re- 
port. May both thou and I, my dear friend, 
be so strengthened to occupy with the talents 
we have received, that when the day of reck- 
oning shall come, we may, through Divine 
Mercy, be received amongst the good and 
faithful, 

John Thorp* 



170 



"Letter Xli. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 5th Mo. 10, 1805. 

My dear Friend, 

Near the time when it happened, I heard 
of the decease of thy dear wife. Since that 
time, I have often thought of the severe trial 
and affliction this would be to thee ; and 
should have told thee so before now, but 
that I know how ineffectual words, and the 
expression of sympathy, are to heal, or much 
to alleviate, the pain of wounds occasioned 
by such a stroke. I knew also, that every 
help that could be had this way, the skilful 
friends and near relations about thee, would 
wisely and affectionately furnish ; but it is 
the Physician of soul and body, that only 
can, and certainly will, help and heal all that 
apply to Him, and have their expectation 
from Him. That thou art one of this happy 
number, I have no doubt ; and therefore I 
have confidence that thy mind will, in due 
time, be tranquillized and comforted by Him 
who hath been with thee all thy life long, 
and hitherto supported thee. 



171 



Dear Rebecca is, no doubt, arrived safe 
in a better country, towards which she hath 
long been travelling with a steady and even 
pace. In a little while we may, through 
continued mercy and help, follow after. 
Thou and I, from our advanced age, can be 
at no great distance from the end of our pil- 
grimage ; and then, let us humbly hope, we 
also may be admitted to unite and be joined 
with all those, who, through faith and pa- 
tience, have inherited the promises. In the 
mean time, let as contend for the faith, and 
abide in the patience, of which most certain- 
ly we shall have need, until our warfare be 
accomplished. We are now in the evening 
of life ; there cannot be a great deal for us 
to do here ; but if there be a little yet re- 
maining, to finish the day's work, let us do 
that little well, and let us do it cheerfully. 
Strength will be afforded, never fear, equal 
to the day ; and remember the holy precept, 
" take no thought for the morrow : for the 
morrow shall take thought for the things of 
itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil 
thereof." I do sincerely desire, the Lord 
Almighty may preserve thee, and direct all 



172 



thy future movements in that way that will 
most conduce to His glory, and thy present 
and future happiness ; and I know it is His 
blessed will thus to deal with thee, and to 
keep thee from every thing that can do thee 
hurt. So let it be, saith thy affectionate 
friend, 

John Thorp. 



Xietteir XIaI. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 1st Mo. 13, 1804 

My dear Friend, 

It was very pleasant to me to receive a 
letter from thee, after so long a silence. I 
was well aware the consequences of the suc- 
cessive events which had taken place in thy 
family, would be likely for some time to en- 
gage thy attention, and I heard of thy journey 
into the west, so that I did not much expect 
to hear from thee until after thy return. I 
had no doubt thou sometimes rememberedst 
me. which I hope thou wilt always do ; as I 



173 



also have very often thought of thee, with 
the same desires for thee as for myself, that 
now, in the decline of life, we may so pass 
the residue of our time here, in conformity 
to the will and example of the blessed Mas- 
ter, that we may finally stand approved of 
Him. /To thy leaving Coalbrook Dale, 1 
have little to say ; I have no doubt thou hast 
thy reasons for this movement. Thou hast 
lived long, and been much blessed, and 
made a blessing to many others in the place 
'of thy present residence ; and I hope this 
will continue to be the case, wherever thou 
mayst make the place of thy abode. If 
Bristol shoulcl furnish a comfortable home, I 
shall be glad of it ; but if it do not, I would 
not have thee stay there : the whole land is 
before thee. 

I have, through undeserved mercy, enjoyed 
my health this last year, as for sixty-one years 
past, with very little interruption, and I have 
been enabled to move about, in the home 
circuit, in the discharge of my religious duty, 
more than in any former year ; and though 
I certainly have, and ought to have, a very 
humble opinion of any little service I may 

Q 



174 



be enabled to perform in the Church of 
Christ, yet, in these movements, I have been 
favoured with the evidence of Divine peace. 

My, family are in tolerable health, and 
my little temporal affairs much as usual. I 
think I can say, with some good degree of 
truth, w r hat I have somewhere read. 

%i The things eternal I pursue, 

u A happiness beyond the view 

ki Of those who basely pant 

i: For things by nature felt and seen ; 

e; Their honours, wealth, and pleasures mean. 

u I neither have nor w ant." 

It is and will always be a gratification to 
me to hear from thee ; when thou art a lit- 
tle settled at Bristol, I hope thou wilf let me 
know where to think of thee. Do not be over 
anxious about any thing ; be quiet, abide in 
the patience, and resignation, and meekness 
of the Holy Jesus, and in that charity w hich 
beareth, hopeth, and Jbelieveth all things. 
This is that name of the Lord which is a 
strong tower, whereunto the righteous flee, 
and find safety ; and here, my dear friend, 
thou wilt be secure from every thing thai 



would do Ihee hurt, and also experience an 
increasing preparation for a rich inheritance 
in that glorious kingdom, which consists in 
righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy 
Ghost. 

I am, my dear friend, with the salutation 
of unfeigned love, thy affectionate friend, 

John Thorf* 

Letter Xlill. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 11th Mo. 3, 1804. 

My dear Friend, 

Thy letter, dated the 29th of 10th Mo. I 
received the 31st. It is true, it seems long 
since I heard from thee before ; I thought it 
so, but there has been no long suspension of 
frequent, affectionate remembrance, and 
brotherly regard ; nor have I any fear of 
this declining, how seldom soever we may 
see or write to each other ; from our advanc- 
ed age, this can but continue a short time, 



176 



bat I have no expectation that our friendship 
will ever cease. 

Thou dost not tell me that Bristol is likely 
to prove to thee a pleasant situation, so I 
have only to hope it. I am not so ignorant 
of the nature of this world, as to believe 
there are many, if any comforts, to be en- 
joyed in it without some alloy ; however, of 
this I am fully persuaded, that the way to the' 
Kingdom of Heaven, and Crown of Right- 
eousness, is the way of the Cross, and 
through many tribulations : yet there is no 
cause to be discouraged, because the Cap- 
fain of our salvation is with us, and hath 
victoriously trodden the path before us, and 
was, as the apostle said, made " perfect 
through sufferings." In a very little time, 
the small measure of suffering alio ted to us 
will be accomplished, and all the tears of 
the redeemed will be wiped away : and I 
have not the shadow of a doubt before me, 
that this will, by and by, in the Lord's time, 
be our happy experience. Let us then, im- 
prove every talent, that the five may gain 
other five, and we finally receive the answer 
of u well done." Let us be faithful and 



vigilant, in the stewardship committed un- 
to us ; and let slip no opportunity of doing 
2:00c]. Let it be remembered, that our bless- 
ed Lord did not say to those on His right 
hand, whom he pronounced u blessed/ 5 ye 
have preached many excellent sermons, ye 
have been frequent and fervent in prayer ; 
but, " I was an hungered, and ye gave me 
meat, I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink : 
1 was a stranger, and ye took me in ; nak- 
ed, and ye clothed me ; I was sick, and 
ye visited me ; I was in prison, and ye came 
unto me " Inasmuch as ye have done it 
unto one of the least of these my brethren, 
ye have done it unto me," I will not say 
to thee, my dear friend, go and do likewise, 
but continue to do likewise.* 

John Thorp. 

B hi the letter to which this was the reply, the stewardship of 
almsgiving had been estimated very low, compared with that of a 
go?pel minister; and therefore J. T. appears to have thought it 
right, for the encouragenipt of his friend, to look at the opposite 
side of the qu ; ion ; but his opinion of the insufficiency of good 
works alone, is very evident from manv passers in his letter;* 
see \os. 44 and 5 >. 



178 



I^ttrc XIAII. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 12th Mo. 18, 1804 

My dear Friend, 

L am glad to hear thy removal to Bristol 
answers thy expectation. I heartily unite 
with thee in sentiment, that in advanced age, 
quietness and retirement are desirable ; in- 
deed it has always seemed desirable to me, 
and through life I should have sought it in a 
greater degree than I have done, if I could 
have been more hid, without hiding also 
the talent I have received. 

The account thou givest of thyself, and 
of thy experiences in spiritual things, though 
low in thy own estimation, are, so far as I 
know, very similar to those which ever have 
been, and ever will be given, by all the elect 
children of our Heavenly Father, when 
speaking of themselves, (making allowance 
for difference of complexion, and the differ- 
ent purposes for which different vessels may 
be formed.) I believe what thou hast ex- 
pressed concerning thyself, would be very 



179 



much the language of them all, so that f 
have no manner of doubt but thou art walk- 
ing in that way which hath been cast up for 
the ransomed, and meeting with a due pro- 
portion of those crosses, trials, and refining 
tribulations, through which the redeemed 
have ever trodden to glory. The enemy, as 
he hath ever done, seeketh to cast down 
when he cannot set people up ; he trieth 
every way, so far as he is permitted, (for his 
power is limited,) to disturb, to discourage, 
and any way he can to hinder the Lord's 
work, the work of salvation, from going for- 
ward ; but our gracious and Almighty Help- 
er, He is the Prince of Peace, and He de- 
lighteth to encourage, to strengthen, to lift 
up the hands that hang down, and to " con- 
firm the feeble knees He will give peace 
to those who love Him, and the victory 
to all who follow Him. O! saith my soul ; 
that all those who know and love Him, who 
is the true Shepherd, who offered up himself 
a propitiatory sacrifice for their complete re- 
demption, that all who believe in Him might 
be strengthened, at all times to put their 
whole trust in Him, for they who trust in 
Him shall never be confounded ; and to all 



180 



these He is saying, again and agjbin, for 
their encouragement, " Fear not, little flock, 
for it is your Father's good pleasure to give 
you the kingdom. 55 

I have, indeed, in some of my letters to 
thee, recommended care and faithfulness in 
the stewardships to which, in the course of 
an allwise Providence, thou hast been ap- 
pointed ; and this I have always done, if I 
am not mistaken, from a feeling impression 
and view, at the time that the blessed Mas- 
ter would be honoured, and thy own hap- 
piness, both here and for ever, thereby pro- 
moted. I have had no particular object or 
occasion in view ; nor have I had the least 
apprehension that, compared with others, 
nay, with any other that 1 ever knew, thou 
wast at all deficient in this great duty. I am 
not saying this by way of apology ; I know 
I need make none to thee ; for, as it is likely 
that, before very many years, thou wilt go to 
thy treasure, I wish thou mayst, and I have 
no doubt thou wilt, find much laid up in 
heaven. I speak on this subject with free- 
dom, because thou hast ears to hear ; and 
because I never heard, nor ever shall hear, 



181 



of any who thought they had done too much 
good ; that they had sympathized too much 
with their brethren in a low 7 estate, and been 
too attentive to the wants and sufferings of 
their fellow-creatures ; and that they had ta- 
ken too much care and pains to endeavour 
to relieve them. Perhaps I have said too 
much, but knowing that thou art wise to dis- 
criminate, I have no fear of misleading thee, 
either into right or left-hand errors ; so, 
wishing thee the glorious rew 7 ard of good la- 
bours, I remain, thy sincerely affectionate 
friend, 

John Thorp* 

lifcttei! XXiYV. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 12th Mo. 25, 1804 

My dear Friend, 

I will relate to thee, at this time, a short 
anecdote which I had from James Thorn- 
ton, of America, one of the first of the first 



182 



rank who have visited us from that quarter 
of the world. He said, when Anthony Bene- 
zet was in his last illness, and very near his 
death, he went to see him. Anthony had 
been long distinguished, as a lover and bene- 
factor of mankind ; but when James came 
into the room, he said he never had been 
more deeply impressed, with a sense of spiri- 
tual poverty, than he was at that time : 
and as he sat under these feelings, a view 
opened, how little all the merits of good 
works can avail, or be relied on, at such a 
time, or any thing short of our holy Re- 
deemer. He took leave of him under these 
impressions, and the good man died I think 
very soon after, and James attended his bu« 
rial ; but, he said, when he entered into the 
house, it felt to him as if it were Divinely 
perfumed ; something so like the opening of 
heaven, and a sense of the Divine Presence, 
as he had at no other time experienced. 
What a striking conformity between the 
death of this good man and that of his bless- 
ed Master ! I thought this little story de- 
served to be remembered. 

With the salutation of love, in which I 



183 



wish us both a continual increase, I am thy 
affectionate friend. 

John Thorp. 



To - 

Manchester — — 

My clear Friend, 

I received thy letter duly. If thou and 
I saw things through the same medium, and 
from the same point of view, it could hardly 
be that we should see them differently ; yet 
so it is, that, with all the deference due to 
thy superior powers, and the regard that I 
willingly pay to the uprightness of thy in- 
tention, and fruitfulness of thy understand- 
ing, J am apprehensive it will be found that, 
on some religious subjects, we do not think 
the same thing. 

I do not see what can be done for those 
friends in , who have separated them- 
selves from their former brethren ; thev must 
be left to inherit the lot which they have 



184 



chosen, and which, I believe, they never 
would have chosen, if they had not first de- 
parted from true humility, and from that love 
which beareth all things. Palliatives will 
not do ; " can two walk together, except 
they be agreed nay, w T as it possible to 
bring all these back again to our meeting, 
and that both parties were willing that they 
should be acknowledged members, what 
confusion would arise from their diversity of 
sentiment on the most important subjects ? 
They would be like the iron and clay, in the 
feet of Nebuchadnezzar's image ; they 
might seem to adhere, but they never would 
incorporate* " Jerusalem is as a city that is 
compact together but a church made up 
of members, of religious sentiments so vari- 
ous and inconsistent, would be much more 
like Babel — a confusion of one language in- 
to many, than the bride, the Lamb's wife, to 
whom the Lord hath again restored a pure 
language, for the language of the Spirit of 
God, the true original, is one. I am sorry 
for these people, because I am so fully per- 
suaded they have departed from the way of 
peace and usefulness, and that he who be- 



185 



grilled the woman in Paradise, hath beguil- 
ed some of them, who may have been in- 
struments in deceiving many others. How- 
ever, circumstanced as they are, and under 
their present professions, I know of no bet- 
ter counsel than that of Gamaliel : " Refrain 
from these men, and let them alone ; for if 
this counsel or this work be of men, it will 
come to nought. 57 

On the subject of education, I never wa? 
an advocate for ignorance ; I contend against 
the acquisition of no kind of knowledge, 
but that which cannot be purchased but by 
the expense of innocence, I should nev- 
er discourage my children, at a proper age, 
from acquainting themselves with the reli- 
gious systems and practices of any profes- 
sors of the Christian name ; but where pa- 
rents themselves have been so happy as to 
buy the truth ; to find " the way of peace f 9 
to have learned, in the school of Christ, the 
precepts of His holy law written in their 
hearts ; who know the voice of the true 
Shepherd, and are concerned to follow Him, 
(turning from the voice of every stranger ;) 
who know His ways to be " ways of pleas- 
it 



186 



antness, and all His paths to be peace y J 
is there any room for hesitation, what should 
be the main object and principal care of 
such parents, in the education of their chil- 
dren ? must it not be, to do all in their 
power to bring them acquainted with this 
Holy Leader, and guide their feet in the 
footsteps of the flock of His companions ? 
I agree with thee, they ought to be carefully 
guarded against indulging any degree of 
slight or contempt, or uncharitableness 3 
with respect to the religious opinions and 
practices of any other people. 

When I consider the human offspring, with 
all the advantages of human learning and 
mental cultivation, recommended to the 
exertion of their own powers, under the 
conduct of human reason, in order to ex- 
plore the paths of peace and endless 
happiness, even with the help of a written 
and attested revelation ; the subject is to 
me very affecting. I do not undervalue 
reason ; I esteem it as a precious gift of 
God ; but I believe it is no more capable 
of leading us to heaven, than our hands 
were made to reach it, our eyes to see it. 



187 



or our feet to carry us thither. Reason, 
however useful in its proper place, under 
the influence of Divine Light, is, like all 
our other faculties and powers, when under 
the government of the old or natural, unre- 
generated man, capable of dreadful pros- 
titution. Let its own works praise it ; 
what hath it done for those who have pro- 
fessed to devote themselves most to its gui- 
dance, free from all the systems and shackles 
of their education ? how are these agreed, 
how are they united, are these " of one heart 
and of one soul," speaking the same thing ? 
No, no ; nothing is more evident than the 
contrary of ail this, to those who are ac- 
quainted with the state and labours of this 
description of people, the reputed wise and 
learned of this world : Babel has always had 
men for its builders, but the kingdom of 
Heaven hath ever been made up of " little 
children." 

Admitting all thou hast said, concerning 
the most important truths of religion, to be 
generally true ; and that thy remarks, on 
things of subordinate importance, are gen- 
erally just, I do not see how much instruction 



188 



is likely to be derived from them ; for we arc 
far from being agreed about what are funda- 
mental truths ; and, I fear, we have very 
different sentiments concerning those things, 
which some count little or indifferent. That 
which I believe, according to the best light 
and understanding I am favoured with, to 
be my duty to do or say, and in the doing of 
which I have peace, and in the omission of 
which I feel trouble, is not to me a little or 
indifferent thing; though I by no means 
wish other people's liberty to be judged by 
my conscience, but would have all to attend 
to the discoveries of Divine Light, and pur- 
sue those things that make for peace. 

The fall of all mankind, in our first father? 
by whose transgression " sin entered into 
ihe world, and death by sin," and our resto- 
ration by the second Adam, " the Lojd 
from Heaven," the " Quickening Spirit," 

the Resurrection and the Life these, 
surely, are the fundamental doctrines of 
religion ; and if these are not admitted 
amongst its most important truths, I am sure, 
for my part, I can see no foundation in the 
nature of things, for any religion at all ; cer- 



189 



iainly there can be none for the religion of 
the Gospel, by which we are every- where 
called to self-denial, and a renunciation of 
this world. " Except a man be born again/ 9 
said our blessed Saviour, " he cannot see 
the kingdom of God." " Except ye be con- 
verted, and become as little children, ye shall 
not enter into the kingdom of heaven." 
Agreeably to this, is the doctrine of the 
apostle : " If ye live after the flesh, ye shall 
die ; but if ye, through the Spirit, do mortify 
the deeds of the bodv, ve shall live." "The 
natural man receiveth not the things of the 
Spirit of God : for they are foolishness unto 
him ; neither can he know them, because 
they are spiritually discerned." To this 
purport, is all the doctrine of Christ and his 
apostles ; how strangely then must they have 
read the declarations of the Gospel ! and 
how little must they be acquainted with the 
book of all books — their own hearts, who can 
believe that they are not by nature in a fal- 
len, very corrupt, and degenerate state ? 

The paragraph on scepticism contains, 
I think, a great deal of truth. I have only 
to say of this subject, that I believe the most 

R* 



190 



common cause of scepticism, though most- 
remote from human observation, is the work- 
ingof satan in the fallen reason of man, 
which E. Burroughs somewhere calls the 
habitation of the serpent. Indeed, thou 
hast said something very like this, when 
thou sayst, it originates in selfishness. 

All endeavours to make the terms or con- 
ditions of church-membership amongst us 
more extensive, broad and easy, so as to 
admit a greater latitude and v ariety of senti- 
ment and conduct, will always be in vain. 
Those who stand upon the sure Foundation, 
and whose principal care it is to act in the 
church under the direction of the Holy Head, 
will always have to bear their testimony 
against, and endeavour to preserve the 
Church clean from those stains, defilements., 
and impurities, which spring from "the lust 
of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride 
of life," all of which, in their endless diver- 
sity and operation, prevent us from entering 
in " at the strait gate," and persevering in 
that " narrow way which leadeth unto life." 

With love to thyself and thy wife, I am 
thy affectionate friend, 

John Thorp. 



191 



To Richard Reynolds* 

Manchester, 10th Mo, 22, 1805, 

My dear Friend, 

Sometimes, when I have been thinking 
of writing to thee, considering that our re- 
spective birth-days were approaching, and 
that the youngest of us had nearly accom- 
plished his grand climacteric year, 1 thought 
of telling thee something about the state of 
my own mind, now the evening draws near ; 
but I will decline it, for T am apprehensive 
I should not be pleased with it, when I had 
written it. Perhaps the account thou givest 
of thyself, in a letter thou wrotest me the 
latter end of last year, may come as near it 
as any thing I should write. This much I 
can say, that at seasons 1 feel a degree of 
consolation and Divine peace, that cannot 
be expressed in words, which I would not 
exchange for a thousand times the treasures 
of both the Indies ; in comparison of which 
I should esteem, I do esteem, crowns and 
sceptres as dung and dross ; and at the much 



192 



more frequent seasons, when heavenly good 
is least sensibly felt, (1 hope I write it with 
humble, heartfelt gratitude,) my faith, and 
hope, and confidence, are so firmly anchored 
on the Everlasting Rock, Christ Jesus, that 
when the rains descend, and the winds blow, 
and the storms beat, I am not greatly 
moved ; I know Him in whom I have be- 
lieved, and that he will in mercy keep all 
those who have committed themselves to 
Him. I have little doubt, nay I have no 
doubt, but in what I have said of myself, I 
have been writing thy experience also, with 
little or no difference, but such as may arise 
from our different vocations in the church, 
and from some difference of our natural 
complexions. Let us then, my dear friend, 
be prostrated in gratitude before our Holy 
Helper, who called us early to labour in the 
vineyard of our own hearts, and afterwards 
in His vineyard, the church. Let us go 
on our way rejoicing, though it be in tri- 
bulation ; the Crown is at the end of the 
Christian race. 

I have heard from several, good accounts 
of thy situation and health, which to me are 



193 

always grateful As every day furnishes 
some opportunity of doing or getting some 
little good, or exercising some virtue, or 
making some little sacrifice ; so I hope we 
are making some little advances, every day, 
towards the heavenly country. 

With every good desire that my heart is 
capable of forming, for thy present and 
everlasting happiness, I am thy affectionate 
friend. 

John Thorp, 

IietteY XLYII. 

To Richard Reynolds* 

Manchester, 4th Mo. 10, 1806. 

My dear Friend, 

I w as pleased to hear of the wise choice 
that was made of an elder in your meeting, 
I doubt not thou wilt soon admit the con- 
viction, that it would not be right to deter- 
mine to remain inactive ; every member of 
the body natural, and every member of the 
mystical body of Christ, hath its proper 



194 



office ; and if it do not act and move agreea- 
bly to the Divine appointment, the whole 
must suffer a proportionable loss ; but a word 
to the wise is sufficient That thou hast 
survived thy seventieth year is cause of hum- 
ble thankfulness. Thou canst now be at no 
very great distance from the end of a well- 
spent life, a life that hath contributed, 
through the Divine blessing, to the comfort 
of very many ; and having, like good old 
Simeon, been graciously favoured to see the 
Lord's Christ, thou wilt, like him, I have no 
doubt, in the time appointed of God, be dis- 
missed from thy stewardship in peace. 

The time of my continuance here draws 
fast to a conclusion, and though I hardly 
know whether I have been instrumental of 
any good in my generation, in the steward- 
ship to which I have been appointed ; yet I 
do know I have many times, in great 
mercy, been strengthened to do the best I 
could: and, notwithstanding all the weak- 
nesses or deviations from rectitude, which 
may at any time have marked my conduct 
through life, I do not wish to have my time 
to live over again, for fear I should not do 
better. 



195 



I was almost afraid, by thy answer to my 
last, that thou hadst conceived I meant to 
speak something highly of my own religious 
attainment. I had no view like that ; I have 
no cause to think so, or to speak so ; I know 
too well what I am, and from whom all good 
comes. I meant only to express myself with 
gratitude, and to magnify His mercy, who 
hath helped me hitherto ; and in the continu- 
ance of whose holy help, I was and am 
strengthened to confide. And surely I have 
cause to magnify His mercy, and to speak 
well of His glorious name, who hath been 
my Shepherd from infant years, and whose 
rod and staff will, I humbly hope, continue 
to be the support and comfort of my declin- 
ing years. 

I am, in true love, in which my wife unites, 
thy affectionate friend, 

John Thorp. 



196 

To John Be van. 
Manchester, 5th Mo. 16, 1806. 

My dear Friend, 

It is very pleasant to be remembered by 
our fellow-travellers to the heavenly coun- 
try, and to salute and be saluted by such on 
the way. I have so long survived the spirit 
and disposition to controversy on religious 
subjects, and have observed so little benefit 
derived from them, that it hath afforded me 
some satisfaction to see that Friends have not 
been hasty to answer every weak apostate 
scribbler, who has dared, through ignorance 
or presumption, to deny the fundamental 
truths of our holy religion. 

Many, also, of the unbelieving professors 
of Christianity, have sought to draw Friends 
into disputation and wrangling, on subjects 
which (though they are most surely believed 
by the sincere Christian) are beyond the 
stretch of the human intellect to comprehend. 
Such are the controversies about what is 
called the Trinity, and the doctrine of the 



197 



atonement. Much injury hath been done, 
and much loss sustained by the discussions 
which have been printed on these subjects;, 
human reason affirming, and human reason 
denying, in equal ignorance of these stupen- 
dous and mysterious subjects. Perhaps all 
that is necessary for us to know, or that man- 
kind are capable of receiving, stand in their 
best state of manifestation, as they are re- 
vealed in the Holy Scriptures. 

May that Mercy by which we were early 
visited, and which hath graciously followed 
us hitherto, vouchsafe to be with us now in 
our declining years, and that we may hap- 
pily experience Him, who condescended to 
be our morning light, and the stay of our 
youth, to be our evening song, and the staff 
of our old age ; that through the continuance 
of His holy help, we may accomplish the 
w r ork which may be given us to do, to the 
praise of Him who hath called us, and our 
own everlasting peace ; that, when the time 
of reckoning shall come, we may be num- 
bered amongst the " good and faithful 59 
From thy affectionate friend, 

John Thorp. 

s 



J98 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 8th Mo. 21, 1806> 

My dear Friend, 

Thy letter of the 6th instant I received 
duly. It was seasonable, and very accept- 
able ; and so far as I am capable of being 
comforted by a letter, I was comforted by it. 
But, however kind and skilful the applica- 
tion, wounds must have time to heal. I hope 
I do not murmur ; I want no arguments to 
convince me that the " Judge of all the 
earth" will certainly " do right ; w I wish to 
be thankful for the inestimable favour I have 
received from Him, in giving to me a most 
faithful and affectionate wife for thirty-one 
years; one singularly fitted to be a help 
meet to me ; for, I believe I am very safe in 
saying, that a life more exemplary, in filling 
up, with unremitting diligence, every duty 
belonging to her humble station, hath never 
yet, nor ever will be found. We have both 
reason to be satisfied, nay thankful, that in 
the loss of our faithful companions, the loss 



199 



is only our's ; their's is the gain, I do not 
therefore sorrow at those " who have no 
hope I have no doubt but that, through 
the unfailing mercy of our Heavenly Father, 
and the atonement and intercession of the 
ever-blessed Jesus, our dear departed wives ? 
according to their measure, will be fixed in 
their respective stations of eternal blessed- 
ness. 

At seasons, I can bless the name of Him, 
who lives for ever, for what He hath given, 
and for what He hath taken away ; yet I feel 
my loss almost continually, and very often 
all my prospects seem clouded, and every 
view of the future here is gloom and shade 
Much of this does not appear to others, and I 
am mostly favoured with an humble degree 
of holy quiet, a measure of that peace which 
the blessed Master gives to those who be- 
lieve and trust in Him. Thy remembrance 
of me, at such a time as this, was very kind ; 
it was, indeed, a genuine, grateful fruit of 
that friendship which hath long subsisted 
between us, and which, I hope, will last for 
even I shall be glad to hear of the re-estab- 
lishment of thy health ; but whether we are 



200 



permitted a longer or shorter stay in these 
earthly tabernacles, I do sincerely desire we 
may be preserved under the direction and 
keeping of Israel's Shepherd, and then all 
will be well. 

Priscilla Hannah Gurney's remembrance 
of me was very acceptable. I wish the re- 
membrance of my love to be presented to 
her. At home or abroad, I trust she is in 
the Master's service, doing all the good she 
can ; yet a little while, and that encouraging 
declaration will "be accomplished in her ex- 
perience, that the righteous live for ever- 
more ; their reward also is with the Lord, 
and the care of them is with the Most High ; 
therefore shall they receive a glorious king- 
dom, and a beautiful crown, from the Lord's 
hand ; for with His right hand shall He 
cover them, and with his arm shall He pro- 
tect them. 

That thou and I, my dear friend, may 
finally make a part, and have our lot amongst 
that happy number, is the frequent prayer of 
thy affectionate friend, 

John Thorp. 



201 



To Richard Reynolds, 

Manchester, 2nd Mo. 19, 1807. 

My dear Friend, 

Without calculating who wrote last, I 
begin to think it a long time since I wrote to 
thee ; and having no doubt it will be received 
as it is meant, I will begin by saying, that 
my love, solicitude, and concern for thee, 
and for thy happiness, will, I believe, never 
experience any decrease ; and 1 have no 
doubt of retaining as much of thy regard 
and esteem as I deserve. 

We have both now numbered one more 
year to our age, and both of us have lived a 
longer time than falls to the lot of mankind 
generally, and I hope the time has not pass- 
ed wholly unimproved ; nay, 1 trust, our 
fellow-pilgrims have been rather benefited 
by it ; I have no doubt of this with respect 
to thee. What now remains but that, with 
increasing care and diligence, we endeavour 
to steer safe into the harbour or port of ever- 
lasting rest ? and through the continued 
s* 



202 



guidance of the Heavenly Pilot, I have a 
settled hope, this will be our happy experi- 
ence, in the Lord's time. Whilst we are 
here, we may expect the waves will roll 
upon us ; and we may be a little tossed, now 
and then ; but they will not overflow us ; 
w 7 hilst Jesus is in the vessel, we have nothing 
to fear. He w r ho hath conducted us thus 
far, and preserved us in the voyage through 
life hitherto, will land us safely at last, I have 
no doubt, in His own holy and everlasting 
kingdom. 

John Thorp. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 2nd Mo. 5, 1808. 

My dear Friend, 

It was very kind of thee to write to me 
by thy nephew Richard Ball. If thy letter 
had only contained an account of thy health, 
now in thy seventy- third year, it would have 
been very interesting intelligence to me: 



203 



but I find thou art still busy, and no wonder, 
in such an extensive stewardship. Well ! 
thine is a pleasant stewardship ; but I envy 
no man's lot. Thou art sure thou art instru- 
mental of much good, both to the present 
and to succeeding generations ; and it cer- 
tainly does afford a very comfortable reflec- 
tion, in the close of time, that we have con- 
tributed to the comfort and accommodation 
of our fellow pilgrims, in our progress through 
this world of deep probation. And beyond 
all doubt, it must be pleasing to the Father 
of the universal family, to see some of His 
children, to whom He hath committed much, 
made willing, under his benevolent influence, 
to relieve the w ants of others. I never had 
much to give, but I remember an instance, 
by which I was deeply instructed in the na- 
ture of Christian charity. One evening, 
when I lived in London, as I passed by 
rather a retired corner of a street, a poor 
woman sat, (I think with a child in her arms,) 
and very modestly asked charily, f felt pity 
strongly raised in my heart, and a language 
like this was feelingly raised in it, the Lord 
help thee ; but I passed by, and it very 



204 



Kvingly arose in my heart, by what means r 
by putting it into the hearts of such as can 
feel as thou now dost, to relieve her. I 
turned back, and gave her something ; but 
I have no need to tell these little stories to 
thee. 

We have had a very hard and severely 
cold winter, and that, added to the winter of 
age, and that I have not all the comforts I 
once had, though it hath not much, if at all, 
affected my health, I think it has a little de- 
pressed my spirits ; so that I have not been 
able to think of moving very far from home ; 
but acquiescence with every allotment of 
our Lord's providence, is not only our rea- 
sonable duty, but the only way to peace. 

Bristol is a long way off ; if thou livedst 
no more than thirty or forty miles off, I would 
many a time come to see thee. I am ready 
to think, sometimes, that I seem of little use 
in the creation ; yet, though I have no fixed 
employ or engagement in business, thou 
wouldst hardly believe how fully my time is 
filled up ; and being now and then employ- 
ed in the blessed Master's service, encoura- 
ges me to hope that I do not altogether live 
in vaia, 



205 



May that Mercy, which hath followed 
thee hitherto, continue to support and com- 
fort thee ; and when thy day's work shall be 
finished, may thy latter end be blessed, and 
full of peace. 

Pray for me, my dear friend, that this also 
may be my happy experience. 

Present the salutation of my love to P. H. 
Gurney, to whom I wish patience, perse- 
verance, and preservation. 

John Thorp. 



"LfcltCT TAX, 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 7th Mo. 26, 1808, 

My dear Friend, 

Last sixth day evening, after an absence 
of more than ten weeks, I got safe to Man- 
chester in health and peace, where 1 was 
kindly received by my relations and friends. 
I staid nearly four days at Worcester, and 
was at most of the friends' houses ; and from 
thence I went to Coalbrook Dale, where I 



206 



stopped about fifteen days. I was at most 
of their houses, and at the New Dale, and 
from thence, by the monthly meeting at 
Shrewsbury, through Chester home. I had 
not all this in view when I left you ; but I 
think I have reason to believe, it was in the 
ordering of His gracious Providence, who is 
yet leading the blind by a way which they 
know not, and guiding them in paths that 
they have not known ; so that my little 
journey affords a pleasing, grateful retrospect. 

If our dear people did but live in the truth 
they profess, and act under its holy influence, 
they would indeed be as a kingdom of 
priests, and for a holy nation; but through 
the lamentable prevalence of the love of this 
world, the want of more uniform labour, for 
heavenly bread and heavenly riches, and 
living so much at ease, and this, (with some 
happy exceptions,) being so generally the 
case, I am sometimes ready to fear lest we 
should become too generally a lifeless, for- 
mal, superficial people. And as I believe 
the proverb is mostly true, like people like 
priest, I am persuaded there is great dan- 
ger (what else can be expected ?) that what 



207 



little there is of ministry amongst us, should 
become too much a superficial ministry. 
Have we not cause to be alarmed, lest others 
should come and take our crown ? 

Remember my dear love to Priscilla Han- 
nah Gurney and to Sarah Allen, of whose 
kind attention I shall Ions: retain a grateful 
remembrance. It was very pleasant to me, 
to see the close of a well spent life made 
happy by such domestic associates ; I mean 
as happy as thou expectest to be, or perhaps 
as the nature of things will admit, in this 
present world : but there are better things in 
reserve. 

Persevere, my dear friend, in the way of 
humility, self-denial, and faithfulness, and 
" a crown of righteousness 55 will soon be 
given thee, " that fadeth not away. 55 
I am thy affectionate friend, 

John Thorp* 



208 



liettfcY liIII. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 12th Mo. 1, 1808. 

My dear Friend, 

The mental languor thou complainest 
of, may well be expected after thy illness ; 
but if we should not this way account for it, 
thou and I have now to expect to feel the 
infirmities of age, when the vigour of the 
system must be greatly declined. The fer- 
vours of devotion, in which we most delight, 
are not always best for us ; and I accord 
with the sentiment of a pious author, that 
" if the will spirit stand right, the changes of 
creaturely fervour lessen not our union with 
God." I know the enemy is always ac- 
cusing us, and would dispose us to accuse 
ourselves ; but we have a merciful High- 
priest, who is touched with the feeling of our 
infirmities.' 5 Let U3, then, remember that 
apostolic exhortation, " Cast not away, 
therefore, your confidence, which hath great 
recompence of reward." 
We are also very liable to be mistaken in 



209 



our opinions, how it fares with others, who 
may be sitting with us. With regard to my- 
self, I have little to say ; I am favoured with 
health ; but it is winter ; it is also the win- 
ter of age, and to me it seems like winter 
in the revolution of the Lord's year ; and 
what can one say, or what can one do, in 
such a case ? — why, endeavour after silent, 
patient submission, and be thankful, if we 
can, for the many undeserved mercies which 
yet remain. 

Thou hast done a good day's work ; I 
have done but little ; I am not at all disposed 
to flatter ; but I would counteract the enemy, 
who, I know, would always spread discour- 
agement both before thee and me. 

Farewell, my dear friend ; to hear from 
thee is always pleasant to thy affectionate 
friend, 

John Thorp, 



210 



TiettfcY IAY. 

To Richard Reynolds, 

Manchester, 5th Mo. 2, 1809. 

My dear Friend, 

I say to myself (though perhaps it is 
not always good reasoning,) I have nothing 
new to say to my dear friends. I think of 
them often ; I love them increasingly : I 
look forward in hope, to that blessed period, 
when there will be no more need of pen and 
ink in our communications, and when they 
will be purged from all impurities, and all 
impediments. If thou and I should land 
safely in the heavenly country, this time can 
be at no great distance from us ; a few more 
days and nights, and we shall have done 
with all the shackles of mortality. 

Those genuine traits of humility and self- 
abasement, which run through all thy letters, 
are very instructive, pleasant, and comforta- 
ble to me ; because I know these heavenly 
virtues are only taught to the disciples of 
Him, who was " meek and lowly in heart : : - 
and I have often been thankful, and my soul 



211 



hath worshipped many times before this 
blessed Master, in feeling and observing, that 
He knows how to teach these blessed lessons, 
and is still teaching them to many, whose 
natural dispositions and circumstances are 
most unfavourable to this sort of learning. 

I sincerely wish, for myself and thee, that 
we may be strengthened to do or suffer what 
little may yet remain t© fill up the measure 
of our duty ; and I have no doubt at all, but 
we shall be thus supported, and that He, who 
hath been our morning light, will be our 
evening song. 

I am, with the salutation of "brotherly love: 
thy affectionate friend, 

John Thorp- 



212 



l^tteif \kSf. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 8th Mo- 15, 1809, 

My dear Friend, 

I sometimes wonder that there should 
be any such thing as self-righteousness in 
the world ; or that any should think they 
have any claim, from merits, to rewards 
But we have both cause humbly and grate- 
fully to acknowledge, that mercy and good- 
ness have followed us all the days of our 
lives, and, I have confidence to believe, will 
be continued to us for-ever. Let us, then, 
contend for this faith, and possess our souls 
in patience. We have both had many trials, 
in passing through this vale of tears, and 
many mercies to acknowledge ; and I hum- 
bly hope and pray, that He who hitherto hath 
helped us, will continue to be with us, and 
finally give us an inheritance in His ever- 
lasting kingdom. 

I am thy affectionate friend, 

John Thorp, 



213 



Iiettet liYI. 

To 

9th Mo. 11, 1809. 

i received thy letter, and should be glad 
if I might be enabled to say any thing in 
answer to it, that might contribute to thy 
comfort and instruction. It is written in the 
Scriptures, "ye ask, and receive not, be- 
cause ye ask amiss " hitherto have ye 
asked nothing in My name." The first 
petition, in that prayer which our blessed 
Lord taught his disciples, is, " Thy kingdom 
come, thy will be done;" when the heart is 
thus humbled in submission, so as to make 
a sacrifice of its own will to the will of God, 
all complaints are over ; and to that state of 
mind, every dispensation is sanctified, 
whether it be sweet or bitter, darkness or 
light, " all things work together for good." 
But, until our wills are thus subjected, it is 
in vain we look for peace. It is not the 
clamorous importunity, travail, and labour 
of the natural man, to be favoured with 
Divine consolation and peace, that will be 
t* 



214 



heard or answered ; but the prayer that 
arises from the sensible operation of the 
Spirit of God in the heart, will never be sent 
empty away ; for, as its prayer is, that the 
will of God may be done, whilst preserved 
in that submission, it never can complain, 
because it is his blessed will to deal with us 
in that way, which He, who knoweth all our 
wants, as well as weaknesses, sees to be best 
for us. Surely He knows best what to give, 
and what to deny, in order to subject the 
creaturely will, that His holy will may be 
done in us and by us, that He alone may 
rule whose right it is. 

Go to meetings in a child-like state of 
mind, (the infant child does not make its 
choice of this or that, but is wholly depen- 
dent, being unable to do any thing for itself,) 
and when there, have no dependence at all 
upon any thing thou canst do for thyself, 
but endeavour to gather into a meek, patient 
resignation, trusting in the mere mercy of 
God in Christ Jesus, in Him who suffered 
for us without the gates of Jerusalem, and 
spiritually reveals himself in the hearts of 
all men v Thus believing in Him, and 



215 



gathering to Him, as thou endeavourest to 
possess thy soul in patience, there is no pos- 
sibility of thy missing that eternal salvation, 
of which Jesus is the author ; for He hath 
said, " him that cometh to Me, I will in no 
wise cast out." In all thy buffetings, afflic- 
tions, and conflicts, look to Him for help, on 
whom help is laid, and who is "touched 
with the feeling of our infirmities for there 
is salvation in no other name. 

It is strange thou shouldst ask, what we 
are to understand by the grace of God, or 
what is meant by our coming to Christ. In 
every sense of the word, thou hast great 
cause to know what the grace of God is, 
both as it stands for the favour of God, and 
a principle of holiness in the soul ; and sure- 
ly, thy long and ardent solicitude, to obtain 
peace and a resting-place in God, cannot 
leave thee ignorant what is meant by coming 
to Christ, who is both the peace, the rest 
and sabbath of the soul *, whose blood, out- 
wardly shed, and divine life and nature from 
Him, inwardly renewed, are the changing 
and salvation of the soul. 

Do not give in to curious inquiries and 



216 



reasoning about this or that ; but abide in 
the simplicity, and in the patience, and never 
suffer the enemy to lead thee to doubt this 
most certain truth, that all the dispensations 
of God, which thou hast passed through, or 
art now under, are administered in unerring 
Wisdom, and are adapted, by that Wisdom, 
to accomplish thy complete redemption. 

Being an entire stranger, I do not know 
how proper it may be for me to say, that to 
be pretty constantly employed in any way 
useful, according to thy ability, w ould make 
time less tedious, and the attempts of Satan 
less grievous. Improper, distressing, and 
wandering thoughts, will not, I think, long 
afflict those who are usefully employed, and 
turn away from them. We can no more 
help wandering thoughts, than we can pre- 
vent the birds from flying over our heads : 
but we can prevent them from making nests 
in our hair- 

With desires for thy comfort, and peace in 
God, through an humble, patient submission 
and resignation to Him, I am thy respectful 
friend, 

John Thorp, 



217 



lietteY liVII. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 4th Mo. 23, 1810, 

My dear Friend, 

I know that, with all the comforts we can 
have in this life, old age has infirmities and 
wants which the consolations of this world 
cannot relieve : and therefore, we look for- 
ward in humble hope to a better life and 
country, where our enjoyments will be both 
permanent and complete. I look upon my 
dear friend as near the celestial shore, and 
moving towards it under the auspicious con- 
duct of the Captain of our Salvation ; and 
with greater certainty, because under the 
influence of that awful fear, which keeps the 
heart clean. 

The removal of dear Deborah Darby, 
however others may view it, to me affords a 
comfortable reflection ; she had fought a 
good fight, she had finished the work that 
was given her to do, and is no doubt now 
entered into that rest which is glorious. 
With regard to the Church's loss, I dare say 



"218 



nothing ; we know who it is, that of cc stones 
can raise up children unto Abraham/' who 
can work by many or by few, with or with- 
out instruments. We may safely leave the 
work, the great work of redemption, to Him 
who hath the power, and to whom belongs 
the glory, evermore, 

John Thorp* 

To Elizabeth Rathbone. 

Manchester, 

Thou hast been so much the companion 
of my thoughts, for some days back, attend- 
ed with such a degree of solicitude on thy 
account, that I am induced to think it will 

afford myself some relief, and perhaps not 
be burdensome to thee, if I attempt, though 
in a few lines, some little communication. 

Thou say st nothing to me about thy 
health, and yet I fear and care abundantly 
about it. It is, if I am not mistaken, in that 
love which springs from the Centre of Unity, 



219 



in which the children of oar Heavenly Father 
fear, and love, and care, for one another, 
that I have felt so much nearness and solici- 
tude for thee ; it is not that I have any fear, 
more or less, with regard to thy eternal state ; 
not the least shadow 7 of a doubt attends my 
mind in this respect, that ail will be well ; 
that an inheritance in the Holy City will be 
secured, that a Heavenly Mansion will be 
prepared for thee, by Him who suffered 'for 
us, who trod " the wine-press alone," and 
there was none with Him, whose " visage 
was so marred more than any man, and His 
form more than the sons of men !" He hath 
trodden the gloomy path, and sanctified it 
unto us ; He hath prepared for thee, He hath 
cast up for all who love Him, a Holy High- 
way into the Paradise of God. Whatever 
doubts or fears may at any time arise ; how- 
ever thy faith may at any time, in the hour 
and power of darkness, be ready to fail ; for 
truly " we wrestle not against flesh and 
blood" only, yet, through His gracious and 
sure help, to whom " all power is given in 
Heaven and in earth," thou wilt be sustain- 
ed, supported, and made more than con- 



220 



queror, and finally experience thy robes to 
be washed and made white in the blood of 
the Lamb, so that thou mayst be fitted to 
unite with the " hundred and forty and four 
thousand," whom John saw standing with 
the Lamb on Mount Sion, and with all them 
who have obtained the victory over the 
beast, and over his image, and over the 
number of his name, in that new song, 
(which the redeemed only can learn) the 
song of Moses and of the Lamb. 

Farewell, my dear friend, I will only add, 
the sincere prayer of my heart, that the great, 
the good, the true Shepherd of Israel, who 
loves, who cares, who watcheth over His 
people for good, who laid down His life for 
them, may direct and guide thee by His 
counsel, and have thee always in His 
keeping. 



John Thorp, 



221 



"Leitfci! TAX. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 8th Mo. 1, 1811* 

My dear Friend, 

It was very pleasant to me to receive a 
letter from thee, and such a letter in thy 76th 
year. I, who am seven years younger, feel 
the effects of old age both in mind and body; 
but let us not accuse ourselves, or listen to 
the accuser of the brethren, because our 
faculties and powers are on the decline, 
Meekness, humility, and patience, are a cure 
for all sores ; our strength and powers are 
equal to all we have to do, or to all that is 
required of us. It is our departure from 
humble submission, and wanting to feel 
more of the fervour of devotion, not willing 
to live by faith, and possess our souls in 
patience, that is a fruitful source of much 
unprofitable anxiety. How much of this 
appears in the few diaries we have pub- 
lished ; and, I am persuaded, in the experi- 
ence of many pious people, who g 
greatly, because they are unskilful lj 



222 



to believe, that if it were not owing to some 
omission of duty, they would more frequent- 
ly, perhaps always, (particularly , in meet- 
ings,) be favoured with these sensible feel- 
ings and enjoyments of heavenly goodness. 
Many, many, I believe, put on a much more 
painful pilgrimage, and experience many 
doubts and tossings, which would certainly 
be avoided by a wise attention to that holy 
precept, "in your patience possess ye your 
souls." To how many religious people 
might it be said by the blessed Master, as 
formerly to Peter, " O thou of little faith., 
wherefore didst thou doubt ?" though it is 
by no means in our power to put ourselves 
into possession of those Divine consolations, 
that sometimes, in unmerited mercy, are 
vouchsafed. I wish to be thankful, truly 
thankful, to be favoured to feel no condem- 
nation. 

There is, I thiitk, a great deal of comfort- 
able instruction and truth in the remark, that 
a the Christian's crow n in this life is hid 
under the cross, that we cannot see it," and 
doubtless laid up safely there for us, when 
our warfare is accomplished. What cause 



223 



have I to be thankful for this, and a thousand 
other mercies ; but to feel suitably thankful 
for favours, or compunction for our infirmi- 
ties, is not at our command. How earnestly 
do I sometimes desire a more fervent, sensi- 
ble feeling of gratitude for favours I have not 
deserved, and repentance for ^11 1 have done 
amiss ; but, as I have said before, perhaps 
we may be too solicitous for these sensible 
fervours of devotion. My mind hath often 
been stayed and comforted, in recollecting 
these observations of an experienced Chris- 
tian : " Do not look for or expect the same 
degrees of sensible fervour ; the matter lies 
not there ; nature will have its share ; but 
the ups and downs of that are to be over 
looked, whilst your will-spirit is good and 
set right, the changes of creaturely fervour 
lessen not your union with God. 55 

Farewell, my dear friend ; may the Divine 
blessing comfort and support our declining 
years, and enable us to finish the little work 
that may remain for us to do ; that finally 
we may be found worthy to enter into the 
joy of our Lord. 

John Thorp- 



224 



letter liX. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 4th Mo. 30, 1812. 

My dear Friend, 

Yesterday, I received thy very accepta- 
ble letter. Our correspondence has now 
continued twenty-five years ; and, as I be- 
lieve it commenced under the auspicious in- 
fluence of our blessed Master, so I humbly 
hope, it has been in some degree fruitful to 
His praise. I am glad to hear thy health is 
restored ; mine, through great mercy, does 
not much decline, though 1 can feel every 
year that I grow older. I have been little 
from home all the winter, and for long it 
hath been very cold weather, the east wind 
almost continually blowing. Reading, re- 
tirement, calling sometimes to see a friend, 
and attending meetings, and meeting mat- 
ters, with a little walk every day, is the man- 
ner in which my time is mostly spent. ! 
expect that, whilst thou art able, thy time 
will be more usefully employed ; but truly, 
at our time of life, I think we should endea- 



225 



?our to cast off every burden, and to break 
every yoke, that we might, without distrac- 
tion, " press toward the mark, for the prize 
of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." 

With regard to myself, if I am poor, it is 
in the best things, which has been my ex- 
perience in an unusual degree of late, and 
with which I hope I am learning to be con- 
tent. Respecting the things of this life, I 
can thankfully say, with good old Jacob, 
" God hath dealt graciously with me, and I 
have enough." Both in the commercial and 
political hemisphere, accumulated clouds of 
darkness have long been gathering ; what 
may be the result, is yet awfully uncertain ; 
neither does there appear much to rejoice 
in, even in our little Society. 

I know how to make allowance for old age, 
and for inaptitude at writing. I stand in 
need of these allowances more than thou 
dost : and yet I will hope thou wilt not only 
remember, but, at some time, write a line or 
two to thy sincerely affectionate friend, 

John ThobPo 



226 



XifcttfcE IaXI. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 12th Mo. 12, 1812. 

My dear Friend, 

When I was last with thee thou ex- 
pressedst a wish to hear from me sometimes, 
I do not frequently feel much qualification 
for writing, for I also am a poor man, and no 
stranger to trials of faith and patience. And 
although I know thou hast excellences which 
I do not possess, and advantages in which I 
have little share, yet, I am persuaded, thou 
art not unfrequently " a man of sorrows and 
acquainted with grief." But is this not a 
common case ? I believe it is much more so 
than we are aware of. Alas ! how often do 
we see sincere Christians ready to complain ; 
often is their faith deeply tried, and their 
hope nearly dried up 5 often ready to call 
every thing in question, and " go mourning 
all the day long." But is there not a cause ? 
u Shall not the Judge of all the earth do 
right? Our native maladies must be eradi- 
cated, and the dangers and temptations of 



227 



our various situations guarded and provided 
against. It is not unreasonable to suppose? 
that a greater degree of humility may be 
necessary for those, whose gifts and stations 
Strongly dispose to self-exaltation, than for 
others, whose condition is in all respects 
very humiliating. 

Oh ! how little do we comprehend of that 
unfathomable Wisdom and Goodness, by 
which the discipline exercised over us is 
directed, in order to secure our eternal hap- 
piness ; can we doubt that the lowness, the 
spiritual poverty and depression, almost to 
despondency, permitted to be the experi- 
ence of many devoted servants of God, are 
not to them blessings in disguise ? But, per- 
haps, it is not permitted that we should 
always think so ; that might frustrate the 
Divine intention in those dispensations. To 
commit the keeping of our souls to Him in 
well-doing, under every dispensation of His 
wisdom and providence, as into the hands of 
a faithful Creator, is the greatest good we 
can do to chirselves, whatever be our condi- 
tion ; and although trials of faith and pa- 
tience should continue, or be often renewed^ 



during our continuance in this probationary 
state, yet, certainly, when the conflicts of 
mortality are over, we shall then see the in- 
effable goodness of our Heavenly Father in 
all His dispensations, and that, " though 
clouds and darkness have been round about 
Him, yet righteousness and judgment are 
the habitation of His throne." Was not the 
Captain of our Salvation made perfect 
through sufferings ? and had not every in- 
dividual, of that innumerable multitude 
which John saw clothed in white, come 
" out of great tribulation ? The way of the 
Cross hath ever been the high-way to the 
kingdom. Tell me of one true child of God, 
in the Old Testament or the New, or any 
amongst our own people, even the most 
distinguished, who have not passed, or are 
passing, through u great tribulation.'' 

I know how natural it is to think, and be 
ready to say, no doubt the sincere children 
of God have all had their trials, but mine are 
very different ; more likely, I fear, to unfit 
me for, than to ensure, the Crown of Right- 
eousness. I think it very probable, that all 
have had these fears, and these reflections. 



229 



No doubt, our crosses are very different, but 
all wisely adapted to the station in which we 
are placed, and the duties to which we are 
called, in our progress through this vale of 
tears. It is in my heart to say to thee, my 
dear friend, be not afraid ; the time is near, 
when the crown of righteousness will be 
given thee, and thy everlasting lot will be 
with those, who " shall hunger no more, 
neither thirst any more, 55 " for the Lamb 
which is in the midst of the Throne, shall 
feed them, and shall lead them unto living 
fountains of waters ; and God shall wipe 
away all teara from their eyes. 55 Amen ' 
Amen ! 

John Thorp. 



230 



l^tte* IiXII. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 6th Mo. 10, 1813. 

My dear Friend, 

Thy letter of the 11th of last 3d Month 
I received duly. It was, as all thine have 
ever been, a very welcome one to me. I 
have now been reading it afresh, with a view 
to make some reply. The first thing I meet 
with, to account for thy not having written 
to me sooner, is thy mental poverty and 
barrenness. This reason I well understand, 
it being very much my own experience ; 
and indeed it is likely it may continue to be 
very much our experience, while we are 
clothed with these mortal bodies ; but as 
this state calls for the exercise of faith and 
patience, it may, as I hope it will, prove a 
profitable dispensation to us both. Let us, 
then, be willing to submit to our allotment, 
as directed by Him who only is wise, and 
who certainly, in love that changeth not, 
dispenseth to us what is best for us, and 
what will most certainly conduce to our 
everlasting benefit 



231 



The death of thy sister, in a good old age. 
and who, I doubt not, has passed from this 
world to a better, has left thee in a situation 
to which my own is nearly similar. My 
father left five children, one only is living 
besides myself, who is now in his 76th year. 
Thus generations pass away ; but no matter, 
if at last we may be prepared to give, as 
thou hast said, an acceptable account of our 
stewardship. That this w 7 ill be thy happy 
experience, thou must excuse me if I say 
again, 1 have no shadow of doubt ; and with 
regard to myself, I am not destitute of hope, 
for though many have been better stewards 
of the manifold grace of God than I have 
been, I am not conscious, at any time in my 
religious labours, of having done the work 
of the Lord deceitfully. Yet I might have 
been more diligent ; I might have waited 
more frequently at Wisdom's gate ; I might 
have been more devoted, and like the holy 
prophet, more ready to say, " Here am I, 
send me." But I trust in Divine Mercy, 
knowing in " whom I have believed, and 
I am persuaded that he is able to keep that 
which I have committed unto Him against 
that day." 



232 



Gf dear :Priscilla we have had a very poor 
account ; I would willingly hope her case 
may not be so bad as some have appre- 
hended; however that be, of this I am per- 
suaded, she is under the care of the best 
Physician, who will finally heal all her dis- 
eases, and crown her with loving kindness 
and tender mercies. When thou hast op- 
portunity, please to remember my dear love 
to her, and tell her to keep fast hold of faith 
and patience. Those who live to old age, 
whatever be their circumstances with regard 
to property, have often to experience their 
nearest connections dissolved, their contem- 
poraries falling on every side, many sources, 
of their usual consolations failings with in- 
creasing infirmities, sometimes to a degree 
of second childhood : yet none of these 
things ought to move us, who are seeking 
" a better country, that is a heavenly and 
we have many unmerited mercies left, which 
call for daily thankfulness, and the greatest 
of all mercies is this, that He, who hath been 
w T ith us all our life long, continueth to be 
with us, and will not forsake us in our grey 
hairs- 



2So 



With the salutation of love, I now con- 
clude, and am thy sincerely affectionate 
friend, 

John Thorp. 



To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 1st Mo. 28, 1814 

My dear Friend, 

I feel almost ashamed that I have not 
before this time acknowledged the receipt of 
thy good letter of 9th month last When I 
read thy observations on schools for adults, 
I thought I saw accomplished, in one in- 
stance, that Scripture which says : " The 
liberal deviseth liberal things, and by liberal 
things shall he stand." We have three large 
schools erected here, two National and one 
Lancasterian, in which some old people 
have been taught to read ; but an institution 
for that purpose, like your's, I do not expect 
to see here. It will be enough for Manches- 
ter, I think, to support the three already 
established. w 



234 



That thy time is much employed, in a 
variety of engagements, I have no doubt ; 
thy gifts and calling make this necessary ; 
and it is a favour, both to thyself and many 
others, that, at so advanced an age, thou 
hast the ability to go through the exercise of 
it ; and a much greater favour it is, to be 
made willing to do it with faithfulness. Oh ! 
how happy will it be for all such, in the ap- 
proaching day of reckoning. 

With regard to myself, I am moving on, in 
my Christian pilgrimage, in a low way, yet 
not destitute of hope, that the dispensations 
I have, or may have, to pass through, may 
graciously be intended for my further refine- 
ment, of which I have great need : so that, 
in the solemn close, I may be numbered 
amongst all those, who, u through faith and 
patience, inherit the promises but if I 
should be thus happy to find acceptance 
with God, in the awful day of decision, I am 
sure it will be the effects of His unfailing 
mercy in Christ Jesus ; for I have no claim 
from merits, to rewards. 

We are now both advanced one year fur- 
ther into the vale of years ; surely it calls for 



235 



gratitude, ttrat we have been favoured with 
so long a time, and with such a degree of 
health ; with the additional favour that, from 
early age, we have been apprized of the end 
for which all our time here was given us, 
and the blessed means by which we might 
make the necessary improvement of it. I 
humbly hope we have not received this 
grace of God in vain. 

That the best of blessings may attend 
thee, my dear friend, in time and for ever, 
is the sincere desire of thy affectionate 
friend, 

John Thorp, 

Xifcttrc liXTV. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 8th Mo. 10, 1814 

My dear Friend, 

Thy letter, dated the 20th of 4th Mo. 
last, 1 received duly, and was pleased that 
thou rememberedst me, and at that time I 
purposed to acknowledge it befttfe now ; but, 



236 



alas ! how often do we fall short of our pur- 
poses. 

I have-several times lately heard a good 
account of thy health, which was very plea- 
sant to me ; for, whilst we remain in this 
country, which we neither of us expect to do 
very long, it is indeed cause of humble gra- 
titude, to be favoured with health, as it gives 
us the best opportunity of improving the 
•dregs of time. I also am still favoured to 
enjoy the blessing of health, and am still 
engaged in the Christian warfare, and in the 
exercise of faith and patience; for I have 
cause to fear I have not yet attained to that 
state of purity and holiness to which we are 
called ; but I may say, " I press toward the 
mark r for the prize of the high calling of God 
in Christ Jesus." Although I fear it would 
be difficult to find, amongst all our religious 
acquaintance, one who is perfectly free from 
all infirmities, yet I have known many, who 
now are, and do know many others who, when 
these mortal bodies shall be put off, will be 
bright spirits in glory. 

What tfcou hast said of thyself, and the 
state of thy own mind, is so just a descrip- 



lion of my own, that I question if I could 
have given it more exactly. Let us, then, 
say with holy Job, " all the $ays of my ap- 
pointed time will I wait, till my change 
come." Thomas Cash used to say, we could 
not think too lowly of ourselves, if we did not 
despair ; and that, I hope, after so many 
years 5 experience of Divine mercy and good- 
ness, we shall be preserved from doing; we 
have more cause to " thank God and take 
courage, 55 more and more to press into that 
kingdom which is righteousness and peace^ 
and joy in the Holy Ghost. 

Our day's work is nearly over ; let us em- 
ploy the little time yet remaining in trim- 
ming our lamps, and forme to watch and 
pray, that all my transgressions may be blot- 
ted out, and my sins forgiven, by Him who 
" taketh away the sin of the world. 55 

John Thorp* 



w* 



238 



To Richard Reynolds 

Manchester, 1st Mo, 18, 1815 

My dear Friend, 

Thy letter of the 4th of 1 1th month last, 
I received with pleasure, as an additional 
fruit of thy friendship, which has afforded me 
much comfort now for many years. It was 
grateful to me to hear of the continuance of 
thy health, which is a great favour to thyself 
and many others ; that Sarah Allen enjoys 
the same blessing I am glad to hear ; re- 
tnember my love to her, to dear Priscilla, 
and S. Nai3h I would not have these good 
women to forget me, When thou wrotest, I 
suppose thou hadst forgotten the conversa- 
tion we had about Hugh Turford ; perhaps 
it may occur to thee some future time. 

The account thou hast given me, of the 
state of thy own mind> is very descriptive of 
my own ; for, though I have been aspiring 
(perhaps too feebly) for more than fifty years, 
after religious attainments, yet my portion is 
often deep poverty, both in and-out of meet- 



23P 



mg : ye£ am I not greatly dismayed, ncr is 
my confidence much shaken, feeiing as I do, 
some degree of that hope which is "an an- 
chor to the soni both sure and steadfast^ 
and which entereth into that within the vail." 
All the dispensations of our Heavenly Father, 
and ail the various turnings of His holy hand 
upon us, are, I believe, intended in mercy 
for our further refinement, and necessary 
preparation for a residence in His everlast- 
ing kingdom, which it is His gracious pur- 
pose to accomplish in us through the media- 
tion of Jesus Christ our Lord. At the age 
we both now are, we shall not have long to 
conflict with the trials of this present life, so 
that I hope it will not be presumption for us* 
to adopt the language of this hymn : 

" It will soon be done, it #T11 soon be o'er, 
¥ We soon shall reach the heavenly shore, 
61 Where, joining those who are gone before, 
4i Shall meet to separate no more." 

Through great mercy, I am favoured with 
usual health, and yet I feel so much the 
effects of age, that I seem to myself to be 

almost good for noth ing". Commending 



240 



thee 5 with my own soul to the keeping of 
Israel's Shepherd, I am, w:th dear love, thy 
affectionate friend, 

John Thorp. 

Wtox "LXVI. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 8th Mo. 9, 1815, 

My dear Friend, 

As we meddle not with the news of the 
day, nor the commotions that are in the 
world, and believing it to be best for us to 
" study to be quiet" and do our " own 
business," so the subjects of our letters have 
mostly been ourselves, and often our own 
infirmities, having nothing else to boast of, 
and these (bodily infirmities I mean) in- 
creasing with years, it is natural they should 
have much of our attention. In these there 
is no reason to expect any improvement ; 
we should do well, and I hope we do endeav- 
our, to live in a thankful state of mind, that 
we are so well as we are, and that at an age 



241 



when by much the greatest part of those 
who have been our contemporaries are num- 
bered with the dead. In regard to health, 
I have no particular complaint, but I feel 
heavier, and incapable of much exertion ; 
walking two or three miles is about the ex- 
tent of my exercise, and even that is at- 
tended with some fatigue ; but thou hast 
always been a stronger man, and I expect 
continuest so. 

I need not t6ll thee I w r as not in London 
this year. I do not expect to see that great 
city any more. This much for the body ; 
in respect to the ever-enduring part of the 
compound, I believe the Apostle's testimony, 
" there hath no temptation taken you but 
such as is common to man : but God is 
faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempt- 
ed above that ye are able ; but will, with 
the temptation, also make a way to escape, 
that ye may be able to bear it." And 
though we have had to pass through a variety 
of seasons in the revolution of the Lord's 
year, though clouds, darkness, and some- 
times sunshine, have been alternately our 
experience, yet I humbly trust that, when 



242 



the trials of time shall be over, we shall find 
a resting-place in the kingdom of our bless- 
ed Lord and Master Jesus Christ. Amen. 

With strong desires that the great and 
true Shepherd, who laid dow n His life for us, 
may have us always in His keeping, I am 
thy affectionate friend, 

John Thorp, 

lifcttei? liXTIX. 

To Richard Reynolds. 

Manchester, 2nd Mo. 20,1816. 

My dear Friend, 

Thy kind letter of the 21st of 11th 
month last, I received duly. The account 
of the death of the dear young man, thy grand- 
son, in the flower of his age, so suddenly and 
unexpectedly, and at such a distance from 
home, was truly affecting ; and I felt sympa- 
thy with thee and his mother on the occasion. 
But what can we say ? " will not the Judge of 
all the earth do right." Though it be your loss, 
I hope it is his great gain ; he has escaped 



243 



many sorrows and mortifying disappoint- 
ments, which inevitably attend those who 
have a longer stay in this probationary state. 

It is pleasant to me to receive a letter from 
thee in thy eightieth year; thy years and abil- 
ity have been lengthened out, in mercy to 
thyself and many others ; "for the Lord God 
of recompences shall surely requite.' 5 

About three months since, I had a slight 
paralytic affection on my right side, which ? 
though not severe, has affected me a little in 
several respects, and my right hand is so sha- 
ken, as thou mayst see by this writing, that 
I am ready to give up writing altogether ; but 
my mind is preserved in comfortable tran- 
quillity. I have many things to be thankful 
for to the Fountain of all Good, and to bless 
His holv name, who hath been with me 
from my childhood. I do not feel much pain # 
and can go about a mile or two; but this 
severe winter I have kept pretty much in 
doors. I do not know that I look much 
worse than usual, and hitherto I have been 
able to attend all our meetings here ; though, 
through my present debility, I seem of little 
use ; but we do not serve a hard Master. By 



244 



the time thou hast read this, thou wilt 
think, as I do, that it is time for me to con- 
c^ude. 

May the blessing of our Heavenly Father 
attend thy continuance here, and then 
crown thy solemn close, when, in his own 
time, thou mayst be summoned to a resi- 
dence in His everlasting kingdom. And if 
this, through Divine mercy, may be my 
happy experience, through the merits and 
mercy of our dear Redeemer, I neither ask 
nor desire more. 

Whilst we are both in mutability, it will 
afford me pleasure to hear from thee. I am, 
with dear love, thy affectionate friend, 

John Thorp 



24o 



Reflections on the allotments of Providence in 
the varied conditions of Mankind. 

The Lord is the All-wise Disposer of 
events ; He niaketh rich, and maketh poor : 
(it is God, saith Moses, that giveth men 
power to get wealth.) He exalteth and 
abaseth at His pleasure ; and though I do 
most firmly believe, that God " doth not 
afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of 
men that he is a God of mercy, and 
knoweth all our wants, as welUas our weak- 
nesses, and will add all that His wisdom sees 
best, to those who first sesk His kingdom^ 
and the righteousness thereof ; yet am I 
forced to confess, with regard to His respec- 
tive outward, as. well as inward administra- 
tions of prosperity and adversity, His judg- 
ments are unsearchable, " and His ways 
past finding out. 5 ' 

It is obvious, I own, that trouble is often 
the result of our ownperverseness, and arises 
from the determination of an unsanctified 

x 



246 



will, the imprudence of our undertakings^ 
and folly of our choice ; but then, I think, it 
is equally evident, that they sometimes arise 
from a different source, and must necessarily 
be resolved into the unerringly wise and in- 
scrutable providence of God. What shall 
we say of Job, that perfect man's condition ? 
what of the hunger, thirst, and nakedness of 
the Apostles ? what of those who wandered 
about " in sheep-skins and goat-skins, being 
destitute, afflicted, tormented, of whom the 
world was not worthy ?'? and what of the 
holy, lowly Jesus, who had not where to lay 
His head ? 

The like hath been the situation of many 
true disciples and Christians of the purest 
ages ; and since, of many of the first Reform- 
ers, who have lived in valleys and desolate 
places, and who have been true successors 
of the Apostles in nakedness and want, 
treated as the off-scouring of all things, and 
to whom, indeed, the earth has been as iron, 
though the heavens have not been as brass. 
Far, very far, be it from my heart to con- 
clude these unhappy, or to think they had 
cause to complain. Surely they were su- 



247 



premely blessed, and received in this life 
recompence a thousand-fold for all their suf- 
ferings ; but I instance them, to evince that 
even the favourites of heaven, as well as 
those who, through disobedience, frustrate 
the designs of Divine mercy, may be, and 
sometimes are, tried with a scarcity of the 
outward accommodations of this life. 

Riches, surely, are not certain marks of 
Divine favour, nor prosperity an evidence 
that our ways please God, Doth he not 
sometimes give men their heart's desire^ 
and withal send leanness into their souls ? 
We are apt to call providences by wrong 
names. Afflictions, " more precious thata 
gold that perisheth," we call curses ; and 
riches we call blessings, when, for once they 
are so, it is to be feared they are sent of God 
a thousand times for judgments. The dis- 
tresses and troubles of Israel of old were 
often administered in mercy, when the peo- 
ple had, in fulness and prosperity, revolted 
from God, to bring them back again to Him, 
to trust and depend upon Him, and have 
their expectation from Him ; and if this be 
the gracious design of the Almighty now, in 



248 



the administration of distress and adversity, 
as I fully believe it often is, I am sure that 
such trials deserve to be considered as evi- 
dences of His merciful regard, who in this, 
though severe, yet more intelligible language 
to earthly hearts, is seeking to convince us 
of our dependance on Him, relation to Him, 
and that it is He who can bless or blast all 
our endeavours. 

I have often thought, and it hath been 
confirmed in my mind, that if we were but 
more attentive, and disposed to obey the 
secret intimations of the u wonderful Coun- 
sellor," who speaks from heaven in our 
hearts, we should happily make it less ne- 
cessary for the Lord to speak to us so fre- 
quently in the language of affliction. Oh ! 
if this were but enough our case, (and I am 
sure it is above all things to be desired,) we 
should thereby avoid every snare, and be 
enabled happily, in the line of duty, to go for- 
ward in the lot of our appointment; and 
then, though our dwellings might be with 
the lowly, and we should have to labour for 
daily bread, yet, divested of anxious care, 
we should rest secure in His providence. 



249 



who numbereth the hairs of our heads, 
clothes the lilies with trancendent beauty- 
and hears the young lions when they cry. 

If thus we were concerned to worship the 
Lord our God, to bless Him in the lot He 
hath appointed us, He would bless our bread 
and our water ; and if consistent with His 
will, and the designs of His wisdom, He can 
increase our corn and oil, and multiply our 
gold and silver. Indeed, cross occurrences, 
adv r erse providences, or afflictions, however 
administered, have not always their desired 
or intended effects : so the Lord complained 
formerly — " I have smitten you with blasting 
and mildew," " yet have ye not returned 
unto Me." There is an aptness in the human 
mind (which sees not beyond things that are 
natural ) to rest in second causes ; and, 
blind to the discriminating providence of the 
Most High, to fix the blame on secondary 
agents ; but surely, " affliction cometh not 
forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring 
out of the ground." 

Oh that, through the medium of Divine 
Light, we might look up to God ! therein 
we should discover the secret turnings of His 



250 



holy hand in all these things : for I am fully 
persuaded, that, whatever is permitted to try 
us, whatever dispensations, inwardly or out- 
wardly, we may be under, it is the dispen- 
sation of unerring Wisdom and Goodness ; 
and the very best for us, the greatest bless- 
ing we are capable of receiving in our pres- 
ent state of mind, consistent with our chief- 
est good. Oh ! w T hat cause have we, there- 
fore, to commit ourselves wholly to Him, to 
bless His name in every dispensation, who 
is the sole Arbiter of heaven and earth, who 
superintends the universe, whose goodness 
and power are equal ; who knows all situa- 
tions, and is ever graciously administering to 
every one of us, in uniform mercy and good- 
ness, what is most convenient for us, and all 
for this most desirable, most glorious pur- 
pose, to redeem, to gather us to Himself, 
who is the fulness of blessing and of life. 

John Thorp. 



251 



A PRAYER. 

The paper from which this Prayer is taken, is in John Thorp * 
hand-writing, and bears this inscription : " On third day, the 
h 21s/ of \Oth Month, 1794, the following Prayer was raisea^^ 
<4 in my heart, and the expression of il required" It appears, 
on examination, that on the day mentioned, Hardshaw Monthly 
Meeting was held at Liverpool.'] 

Oh Lord God Almighty, conscious that 
we are but dust, and that Thou art holy, 
that as is Thy Majesty, so is Thy mercy ; 
we beseech Thee, look down upon us in 
mercy, whom Thou hast raised up, to set 
Thy name amongst. Take us under Thy 
care, and exercise Thy discipline upon us. 
Turn Thy hand again and again upon us ; 
"revive Thy work in the midst of the years/' 
that both the dross, and the tin, and the 
" reprobate silver, 55 may be taken away from 
us. Purge our camps, O Lord, we beseech 
Thee, and remove from us every thing that 
is offensive to Thee ; that so we may, ac- 
cording to Thy blessed purpose, become 
" as lights in the world," as " the salt of the 
earth," as way marks to the people, as faithful 
Standard bearers for Thee, 

And inasmuch as it hath pleased Thee, O 



252 



Lord God Almighty, to pour forth Thy judg- 
ments in the earth, we pray Thee, if it be 
Thy will, to search by them, not only 
the present, but all succeeding generations. 
Overturn and remove every thing that ob- 
structs the coming of Thy kingdom. Grant 
that Thy government and dominion may 
spread from sea to sea, and from the rivers to 
the ends of the earth. 

Look down, O Lord, in mercy and com- 
passion, on all sorts and conditions of men, 
Remember the poor oppressed Africans ; 
pour forth upon them the blessings of Thy 
light and peace, and remove oppression from 
them. Hasten, O Lord, the accomplish- 
ment of that which Thou hast spoken, that 
" from the rising of the sun, even unto the 
going down of the same, Thy name should 
be great among the Gentiles, and in every 
place incense should be offered unto Thy 
name, and a pure offering that so, O Lord, 
all the ends of the earth may take the cup of 
Thy salvation, and be enabled acceptably 
to ascribe to Thee, glory and honour, thanks- 
giving and praise, might, majesty, and do- 
minion, for ever and ever. Amen. 



SAMUEL WOOD & SONS? 

NEIV-YORK; 

AND SAMUEL S. WOOD & CO* 

BALTIMORE ; 

HAVE FOR SALE A GREAT VARIETY OF RELIGIOUS 
BOOKS, FRIENDS 5 WRITINGS, &C. AMONGST WHICH 
ARE THE FOLLOWING, VIZ : 

ACCOUNT of the Convincement and religious 

progress of John Spalding. 
Barclay's Apology. 
Barclay's Catechism. 

Bevan's View of the Doctrines of the Christian Re- 
ligion. 

Chalkley's (Thomas) Works. 

Christian Advices, by the Yearly Meeting of Phila- 
delphia. 

Davideis; the Life of David, King of Israel, aPoerrv 

by Thomas Elwood. 
Duties of Religion and Morality, by Henry Tuke. 
Examples for Youth, in Remarkable Instances of 

Early Piety, by William Rawes, Junr. 
Fothergill's Sermons, 
Fry's Poems. 

Journal of the Life, Travels, Sufferings, &c, of 

George Fox. 2 vols. 
Journal of the Life of John Gratton. 
Journal of the Life of Job Scott. 
Journal of John Churchman. 

Kersey's Treatise of the Fundamental Doctrines of 
the Christian Religion. 



Life of Daniel Stanton. 
Life of Jane Pearson. 
Life of Margaret Lucas. 
Life of Mary JNeale 
Life of Samuel Neale. 
Life of Patience Bray ton. 
Life of Sarah Grubb. 
Life of Samuel Bownas. 
Life of Sarah Stephenson. 
Life of Anthony Benezet. 

Life of William Penn, 2 vols, by Thomas Clarkson, 
M. A. 

Life, Letters, and Poems of John Marriott. 
Life of Mary Alexander. 

Memorials of Ministers of the State of New- York. 
Murray's Compendium of Religious Faith and Prac- 
tice. 

No Cross, No Crown, by William Penn. 
Penn's Reflections and Maxims. 
Philips' Hints respecting Regeneration. 
Piety Promoted, 10th part, by James Gurney Be- 
vans. 

Portraiture of Quakerism, 3 vols, by Thomas 

Clarkson, M. A. 
Phipps' Original and Present State of Man. 
Scott on Baptism. 
Scott's (Samuel) Diary. 
Sewell's History of the Quakers, 2 vols. 
Strength in Weakness, Manifest in the Life, Trial s, 

&lc. of Elizabeth Stirredge. 
Tuke's Principles of Religion. 
Tuke's Life of George Fox. 
Usher's Letters. 

Woolman's Serious Considerations* 

Woolman's Works. 

Willis' Reply to Hibbard. 

Willis' Reply to Scott. 

Wells on War. 

Dillwyn's Reflections, 

Dell's Works. 



Eihvood's Sacred History, 3 vols. 

Life, Travels, &c, of John Griffith. 

Diary of Religious experiences, by Joseph Fisher, 

Guide to True Pease. 

Account of Ann Dymond, late of Exeter. 

Du Thon's Historie de la Secte des Amis, 

How's Devout Meditations. 

Phillips' Defence of the Principles and Practices of 

the People called Quakers. 
Selections from the Works of Isaac Penington, 
Thompson's Letters. 
Memoir of Hannah Taylor. 
Memoirs of the Life of Caroline E. Smelt. 
Memoirs of Harriet Newell. 
Writings of Fanny Woodbury. 
Friend of Peace. 

Letters to Gov. Strong, on Capital Punishments, 
War, Sic. 



JVE W JP UBIAC.'l TIOJVS, 



Extracts from the Papers of Edwin Price, late of 
Neath Abbey, Glamorganshire ; with some ac- 
count of his last illness and death. 

The Spiritual Guide, an abstract from a larger work. 
By Michael de Molinos, New edition. 

The Life and Religious experience of the celebra- 
ted Lady Guion ; (translated from the French ;) 
exhibiting her eminent Piety, Travels, and Suf- 
ferings. To which are annexed a selection of 
her Poems, and an appendix, containing a short 
account of the Lives of Fenelon, Archbishop 
of Cambray, Michael de Molinos, and St. Te- 
resa. Also, a new translation of the Short and 
Easy Method of Prayer — New edition. 



A Collection of the Epistles from the Yearly Meet- 
ing of Friends in London to the Quarterly and 
Monthly Meetings in Great Britain, Ireland and 
elsewhere; from 1675 to 1820 : being from 
the first establishment of that Meeting to the 
present time. — 

Memoirs of the Life and Religious experience of 
William Lewis, late of Bristol. To which are 
added Extracts from Letters addressed by him 
to individuals, on different occasions. 



NOTICE. 

Ellwood's Sacred History, having been out 
of print several years, will probably be re-published 
in the course of the present year. 

New- York, 5th Mo. 1821- 



